The layoffs that I’ve seen from a retail perspective eliminate the positions that aren’t generating revenue or adding to the bottom line through reducing costs. Verizon eliminated Operations Specialists, putting managers back over their inventory. Did the managers like it? No. We’re they able to perform the job and offset employee expenses? Yes. A few Solutions Managers were cut, the bottom of a stack rank based on contributed value, and the lack of need for the position. Experience Specialists before that, the need does not present itself to pay someone $40-$50k to deal with ‘Non-sales’ activities, especially when creating sales opportunities is so needed. Did the stores suffer? Maybe, Sales reps now have to put their own screen protectors on and take issues, brown boxes, etc. But the reduction did not do a disservice.
We’ve seen a plethora of other changes, but none of which has stopped the business from running. At the end of the day, big red has a requirement to maximize shareholder value. This is done by maximizing revenue and reducing costs. Employees at any company must continue to provide value to their employer. If your perceived value is less than your perceived cost then its time to change, whether that be your performance or employer, something will change. We’re no longer in a world where you can be a bottom performer and bring little value and still expect to keep your job.