Stealth Layoffs

Stealth layoffs aren't just another corporate trend.

They're the new normal.

The trend I have started to notice:

→ Workday: 1,750 cuts for AI push

→ Dell: 25,000 cuts over two years

→ Autodesk: 9% cut amid "sales changes"

→ HPE: 5% cuts through "expected attrition"

→ Meta: Fired top performers despite claims

→ Google: Switched to quiet monthly reductions

Despite record profits, headcount growth across these companies remains stagnant or shrinking.

Traditional mass layoffs are being replaced by a more calculated approach.

The new playbook is nearly invisible:

→ Performance reviews target even top performers

→ Gradual reduction through attrition and hiring freezes

→ RTO mandates designed to drive voluntary departures

→ Restructuring justified as "investing in AI" (Workday)

Multiple strategies now run in parallel:

→ Expanding "span of control" (more direct reports)

→ Increasing technical-to-non-technical staff ratios

→ Strategic office closures and "space consolidation"

→ Cuts spread across quarters, not single events

The impact goes far beyond headcount.

When organizations flatten, everything changes:

→ Same output is expected from fewer employees

→ Institutional memory erodes with each departure

→ Decision-making concentrates among fewer people

→ Career paths narrow as management layers disappear

For employees, navigating this change requires strategy.

Here's how to build resilience:

→ Upskill aggressively: Focus on high-growth areas

→ Build cross-functional visibility: Network widely

→ Understand the metrics: Know your company targets

→ Maintain financial readiness: Build emergency funds

→ Manage your mindset: Don't let fear drive decisions

The goal isn't surviving the next cut. It's positioning yourself to thrive regardless of organizational shifts.

What we're witnessing isn't another corporate cost-cutting strategy; it's the fundamental rewiring of the employer-employee relationship.

Those who recognize this shift will not just survive; they'll define success on your own terms