Ask HN: Anyone else lacking motivation during this time of layoffs?

3 points

3 years ago

I wonder if I'm the only one that feels this way. I suspect its a broadly felt phenomenon, based on the research on layoffs[1], of hurt trust, and demotivation among employees at large tech companies. Though nobody would publicly admit it (hence my throwaway account!). It's not exactly something you announce on slack when layoffs are afoot!

Before and early pandemic, I could at least suspend disbelief that I worked for a special place at my big tech company, who had a mission, or at least my group had a mission that someone cared about.

Now, I don't see any difference between a tech company, Exxon mobil, Coca Cola, or any other mega corp. It's all just capitalism. Yes, yes, I should have known all along.

It's hard to find motivation in such heartless times. When companies like Shopify layoff, even when performance is good[2]. Trust has been utterly destroyed. Even if probability is still pretty low I'll be impacted, I will know people impacted, it's simply hard to care about this company and what I'm building.

1 - https://hbr.org/2022/12/what-companies-still-get-wrong-about-layoffs

2 - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/04/shopify-cuts-20percent-of-its-workforce-shares-surge-on-earnings-beat.html

4 comments