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November 29, 2023

Increase talent density bullshit

Every day, I read about yet another company cutting their workforce to increase profitability, and every single time, my reaction is - what the hell?!

We can rationalize that they are not non-profit organizations and have a legal obligation to prioritize financial stability and profitability. However, it is crucial for companies to find a balance between their financial goals and their ethical responsibilities towards employees.

And nothing pisses me off more than companies using the excuse of "increasing talent density" to justify mass layoffs. It's just a fancy way of saying they want to get rid of employees. These companies often fail to provide adequate support and resources to help "underperforming" employees improve. Instead of investing in training and development programs, they choose the easy way out by cutting jobs.

It's not only unfair but also unethical, even though it has become a common situation nowadays. Employees are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, for fuck’s sake. They are real people with families, bills to pay, and dreams to pursue.

In a civilized world, there is only one situation where mass layoffs are somewhat acceptable - when the company is genuinely fighting to survive. Even then, companies should explore all possible alternatives before resorting to layoffs. They should prioritize open and transparent communication with employees, providing support and resources to help them during difficult times.

But firing people just to show some $$$ savings in the annual shareholders meeting sucks, no matter how rational the arguments may sound. I truly believe that there's a special place in hell for people who practice such behaviour.

Keep doing so, and people will get really pissed off. They are already becoming more and more aware of these behaviours, which is why the "quiet quitting" movement has emerged. Why should the employees care, put in effort, and strive to improve their skills and performance if none of it matters? They can be fired at any time for bullshit reasons.

Perhaps you think now that I’m being silly or fanciful, but is it so bad for all of us to strive for a future where employees are valued and respected, rather than treated as disposable assets?

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