The Decreasing Value Of Human Existence

Don't worry -- this post is not about abortion.

I just discovered this “Make Work Better” newsletter, which seems pretty good:

Would you relocate for a job? How about for a friend?

Within that edition, I found this discussion of why layoffs don’t really work.

I think most people inherently understand that layoffs don’t do much or work the way they’re intended (I.e. they don’t cut costs at the level of expectation, or juice the stock price accordingly). If you need a summary of why they don’t work:

Moreover, layoffs don’t work to improve company performance, Pfeffer adds. Academic studies have shown that time and time again, workplace reductions don’t do much for paring costs. Severance packages cost money, layoffs increase unemployment insurance rates, and cuts reduce workplace morale and productivity as remaining employees are left wondering, “Could I be fired too?”

Indeed. And if you get further down, there’s a section with linked research. Notably: