Surprise Layoffs at Salesforce
Salesforce, one of the largest providers of customer relationship management software, has caused a stir in the tech community by laying off hundreds of employees without warning. The layoffs began in January, but the impacted individuals had only recently discovered they had been let go.
Silent Terminations
The layoffs took place without much fanfare or announcement, which left employees wondering what had happened. The company’s policy of silence has been met with criticism, as many have argued that informally informing those impacted is unethical.
The Impact of the Layoffs
The layoffs have contributed to the broader challenge faced by tech workers today. In a difficult job market, hundreds of hardworking individuals are now out of work. This has put an added strain on the lives of those affected and their families.
Salesforce’s Response
Salesforce has not yet responded to the layoffs or to the criticism related to its lack of communication. There is speculation that the company was attempting to keep the layoffs quiet to avoid public criticism.
Finding Support
For those impacted by the layoffs, there are a number of resources available for finding job leads, assistance for relocation, and other forms of support.
- CareerBuilder – provides job postings and job offers
- Gig Jobs – provides temporary and freelance job opportunities
- Rally – helps laid-off workers find new opportunities
The tech industry is constantly evolving, and layoffs are a way of life for many workers in the sector. Salesforce’s decision to quietly lay off hundreds of employees has caused criticism, though the resources for support are still available for those who have been let go. This morning, hundreds of Salesforce workers in the United States and Canada were surprised to discover that they were out of work, despite having been laid off in January. The shocking news broke on Twitter when one of the affected employees shared a screenshot of an email from the company informing them that their “employment with Salesforce has ended.”
According to reports, the people affected by this latest round of layoffs were part of a small group that Salesforce had let go in January 2020. However, the employees were told the layoffs were temporary and the majority were originally slated to return to work this month. That has not been the case, however, and employees have found themselves unexpectedly unemployed.
The news has been met with anger and bewilderment by not only those directly affected, but also by colleagues of the workers who have taken to social media to express their outrage. In response, Salesforce has acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances and offered assistance to those affected by the layoffs. The company stated that it is providing “career transition services and resources” to help those now out of work.
The layoffs appear to be part of a larger plan by the company to reduce costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Salesforce had previously announced that it was cutting 6 percent of its workforce, or about 3,000 jobs. It appears that this latest round of layoffs is part of that effort.
The job market is facing a difficult time at the moment, and Salesforce’s move to eliminate these positions is a difficult pill to swallow for all involved. We can only hope that those affected will be able to quickly find new employment in this challenging environment.
