Watch: Is Living In Fear Of Getting Fired The New Normal?

In recent weeks, two companies, Discord and Cloudflare, have come under the spotlight as employees recorded and shared their termination experiences, shedding light on the emotional toll of layoffs and termination processes.

Discord's Layoff Announcement Goes Viral

Chloe Shih, a Discord employee of over two years, found herself recording the pivotal moment when the company announced the termination of 170 employees, constituting 17% of its workforce. The video shared on X, captures the emotional rollercoaster of the announcement.

In the footage, Chloe narrates Discord's decision to reduce its workforce, leading to a tense countdown until the moment employees receive emails determining their fate. A nervous smile crosses Chloe's face as she remarks, "I find out if I'm laid off in 20 minutes."

Shortly after, she receives an email confirming her termination, adding the personal touch of detailing her last working day. Chloe, still processing the shock, reveals, "I just bought a house too!"

Expressing her sentiments on LinkedIn, she describes the experience as traumatic, emphasizing that it doesn't reflect the employees' work, merit, or value.

See the post here.

end of an era 🥲 @discord #layoffs #Techlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3jxIYitx8T

— chloe shih (@colorsofchloe) January 12, 2024

Cloudflare's Unsettling Termination Video Sparks Debate

In a separate incident, Cloudflare, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity firm, faced scrutiny as Brittany Pietsch, a recently hired accounts executive, recorded her termination call. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince acknowledged the video as "painful" to watch, highlighting certain shortcomings in the termination process.

Pietsch, visibly distressed, questions the HR representative and a director about the reasons behind her termination. Despite receiving positive feedback from her manager, she was given a vague explanation related to performance expectations.

The video prompted a debate on whether Cloudflare was conducting layoffs or individual terminations. Cloudflare insisted that the terminations were due to performance issues, denying any layoffs. CEO Matthew Prince, while admitting the termination process could have been handled better, emphasized the importance of involving managers in such decisions and providing regular feedback to employees.

See the post here

Getting fired is tough, but it’s important to handle it with dignity. Firing someone is also hard, requiring compassion and respect. Total disaster on both sides here. pic.twitter.com/ptEFQT0TTb

— SMB Attorney (@SMB_Attorney) January 12, 2024

Reflections on Layoffs: The Human Element

Both incidents bring to the forefront the emotional toll of layoffs and termination processes, sparking discussions on termination etiquette. The publicised nature of these events raises questions about transparency, communication, and the human side of workforce reductions.

As companies navigate organisational changes, there is a growing call for a more humane approach to terminations, emphasising clear communication, involvement of managers, and continuous feedback to prevent employees from being blindsided by such life-altering decisions.

In conclusion, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the human element involved in corporate restructuring, urging companies to prioritise empathy and transparency as they make challenging decisions that impact the lives of their employees.

Views expressed by the author are their own