The Workforce Pincer Move During Recessions

Companies are doing something smart (and sometimes a bit gross) during this economic…whatever this is. They’re using the downturn as an opportunity to get rid of people they don’t like, which solidifies their workforce.

Here’s the move:

1. They have to remove people anyway because of the recession.

2. Find the groups of people who have annoyed them in the last few years.

3. They put out a public message designed to repel them.

4. Use those extra heads to save money or hire people who want to work there.

Some examples:

• Meta says some of their employees probably shouldn’t work there.

• Elon stopped most work from home.

• Netflix said if you don’t like our content you should quit.

It’s smart, but it also feels pretty slippery—especially if/when it was the company’s misbehavior that caused the people to be unhappy in the first place.

Anyway. I’m not saying it’s happening at every company. Or at yours. But it is happening.

Maybe now you’ll notice it more, and you’ll be able to ask the two natural follow-up questions:

1. Who are they trying to get rid of?

2. What statements have they made to expedite that?