Can being stressed at work get you a pink slip? Yes. Picture this: You are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and burnt out at work, and when you convey your feelings to the authorities, you are served a termination letter on a platter instead of a solution. YesMadam, a home salon services provider, has translated this hypothesis into reality. Reports suggest that the company conducted a mental health survey and dismissed those who disclosed feeling stressed.
In a nation that continuously glorifies overwork by applauding employees who trade their sleep and sanity for the company, cases like this take workplace dismissals to new lows, turning them into acts of apparent mockery.
Layoff–the buzzword no employee wants to hear–has become a grim reality dominating headlines in 2024. From financial crunches to reckless over-hiring and ruthless restructuring, job cuts have morphed into a disturbing norm across industries. Companies slashing their workforce are no longer an exception but a trend. Here’s a look at the major layoff stories that rattled the corporate world this year.
Employees fired for misusing dinner vouchers: The Meta layoff story
Meta terminated around two dozen employees from its Los Angeles office for misusing a $25 dinner voucher. Employees had used the meal credits for non-food items or had meals delivered to their homes instead of the office. Some even pooled their credits with colleagues. Despite the seemingly trivial nature of the offence, these actions led to terminations, raising questions about whether or not the punishment was justified.
Layoff at EY: Employees fired for ‘cheating’ during training
EY dismissed US employees for “cheating” during its “EY Ignite Learning Week” by attending multiple online courses simultaneously, violating the company’s learning policy. While the firm defended its actions as necessary to uphold ethical standards, employees felt the punishment was harsh, especially since marketing materials encouraged participation in as many courses as possible. These incidents reflect a larger trend where corporate policies clash with employee perceptions, highlighting the growing tension between strict company rules and the realities of modern work culture.
Amazon announced major layoff drive in 2025 to achieve the ‘ideal’ manager-to-reportee ratio
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently revealed plans to eliminate around 14,000 manager positions as part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency. This move aims to increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by the end of Q1 2025, potentially saving the company up to $3 billion annually, according to Morgan Stanley’s analysis. While the decision has caused some concern among employees, Amazon clarified that fewer managers would be impacted than initially expected. This restructuring raises a key question: What is the ideal reportee-to-manager ratio?
The optimal number of direct reportees a manager can effectively handle depends on various factors, such as task complexity, team experience, and the organization’s structure. Research typically recommends a ratio between 5 to 9 employees per manager, as this allows for sufficient attention and guidance without overwhelming the manager. Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel, suggested that managers should dedicate about one hour per week per report, which limits the number of direct reports to around nine. In environments where employees are more experienced and need less oversight, a manager may be able to handle up to 15 or 20 reports. Ultimately, finding the right balance is key, with the ideal ratio varying based on the team’s needs and the complexity of the roles being managed.
From Apple to IBM: Tech layoffs driven by AI and economic slowdown
The recent wave of layoffs in the tech industry, which has seen over 27,000 job cuts at major companies like Apple, Cisco, IBM, and Intel, highlights a critical shift within the sector. These layoffs, driven by an economic slowdown and decreasing demand for traditional IT products, reveal that even the largest tech giants are vulnerable to market changes. Intel’s announcement of cutting 15,000 employees as part of a $10 billion cost-saving initiative and Apple’s decision to reduce its services division by 100 employees to refocus on AI show the increasing trend of restructuring in response to falling profits. Meanwhile, Cisco’s 6,000 layoffs and IBM’s closure of its R&D division in China underscore the broader decline in demand for IT hardware.
For IT professionals and new graduates entering the workforce, these layoffs serve as a wake-up call. The future of the industry lies in emerging fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Upskilling in these areas is now essential for career survival. Professionals must adapt to the evolving landscape by acquiring expertise in high-demand technologies such as AI, data analytics, and machine learning. As the demand for traditional IT roles declines, staying relevant through upskilling will be key to ensuring long-term success in the industry.
Poignant question
In a nation that is already leading the charts of overworked nations, such instances further aggravate the situation raising a worrying concern: Will layoff and overwork nurture a productive workforce or lead to an exhaustive, burnt-out young generation flocking to other nations seeking a sigh of relief?
