Thread regarding Thomson Reuters layoffs

The psychology around layoffs is both complex and interesting. An unnatural situation is created whereby the opportunity presents itself for some colleagues with repressed feelings towards some of the people laid off to no longer repress their feelings and overtly express them before these people leave. It is an opportunity for these people to say or show what they think of these people. By acting like this they feel they are addressing past slights or perceived grievances. Unfortunately, these people have neither the wit, nor social filters to leave things alone. You are not going to change a workplace like this. One small consolation for those laid off is that they won't have to work with these socially inept and challenged people. I hope that those laid off in this latest round go on to new jobs with employers who actually value them, and who don't regard employees as a commodity to be dumped at will.

The psychology around layoffs is both complex and interesting. An unnatural situation is created whereby the opportunity presents itself for some colleagues with repressed feelings towards some of the people laid off to no longer repress them and overtly express them before these people leave. It is an opportunity for these people to say or show what they think of these people. By acting like this they feel they are addressing past slights or perceived grievances. Unfortunately, these people have neither the wit, nor social filters to leave things alone. You are not going to change a workplace like this. One small consolation is that you won't have to work with these socially inept and challenged people. I hope that those laid off go on to new jobs with employers who value them, and who don't regard employees as a commodity to be dumped at will.

For me, a lay off as a business decision might make sense but it’s handled so poorly. The HR rep who spoke to me after the announcement was giggling on the phone after i had been told my position was no longer needed. I had heard the news maybe 30 minutes before. That was not necessary.
My soon to be former co workers ( who didn’t lose their positions) were actually talking about gaming the system and fudging their numbers. Unbelievable. I kept coming in for almost 2 months after to get my severance. It felt like I was a bullied teenager. This left me with such a bitter taste, especially with holidays coming up.

I couldn't agree any more with this post. It's almost like everyone that remains were told to pick a side or they are next. HR is complicit in all of this, they treat people with such little dignity it is sad. Over the past few years I have been in meetings with HR present, where a senior leader belittles and bullies one particular person, and while everyone sits in shock this behavior is allowed to continue. After these meetings HR said things like "I don't know why they were doing that" or "that was wrong", but NOTHING happens. I think everyone can guess what segment I am talking about, but a hint, it is the one that has missed their number badly for the last 2 years and either people are leaving or they are being laid off. It is a complete mess and is filled with senior leaders that haven't accomplished anything other than lots of missed OKR's.