This review is based on my belief of how SAS operates, based on my experience working there.
Do not kid yourself. SAS lays people off. The method they use is quite unsavory. Rather than actually hold above-board "layoffs", they target specific people and subject them to "the treatment". Shunning, gaslighting, bullying, and other unprofessional tactics are employed. Imagine the worst junior high school clique you've ever dealt with, and magnify it 10x.
Targets receive extremely bizarre treatment and circumstances imposed by others, all intended to make them miserable and quit. Resilient targets who can withstand this treatment will find themselves in HR reviewing a list of trumped-up charges so ridiculous, they cannot be reasoned with or defended.
The employee has a choice at this point - take the money and run, or "improve performance" and "stay". It's a false choice. Those who "stay" are subjected to even more abuse and are usually fired within a short period of time and denied any payout.
This process is intended to protect the "No layoffs" myth. This is extremely destructive to those targeted. I believe the top guy himself encourages these practices to protect his saintly public image.
There are "layoffs". They just don't call them that.
Worse yet, the long-term dead weight employees pick the targets for this process. Competent, hard-working employees are destroyed and run out by the lazy and incompetent ones working to cover their tracks. Incompetent, dead-weight employees adept at dirty politics are what remains. All to protect one person's image. Really disgusting.
Excellent post, bumped from an old thread so more people could read it. Originally posted by @Oag5Pc2-bmijy.