Verizon Layoffs: What the hell is going on?

Alright, let's get this straight. Verizon, that behemoth of bad customer service and even worse phone plans, is planning to axe 15,000 jobs? Color me shocked. Actually, no, I'm not shocked. I'm just deeply, profoundly cynical.

The Chopping Block

Fifteen thousand souls. Gone. Just like that. And of course, it's all framed as "aggressively reducing costs" by the new CEO. Give me a break. It's always "cost reduction" and never "we screwed up our business model."

They're blaming subscriber losses, naturally. But isn't that just a symptom? What's the real problem? Is it that their service is overpriced and underperforming? Is it that they're slow to innovate? Or is it simply that people are finally realizing they don't need to be locked into a contract with these dinosaurs?

And what about the timing? Announcing this right after the new CEO gets comfy in the corner office? Convenient, ain't it? Lets him take credit for "fixing" things, even if it means throwing 15% of the workforce under the bus. I mean, is this leadership or just corporate Darwinism at its finest?

The Ripple Effect

It's not just about Verizon, offcourse. The article mentions Condé Nast and Amazon also swinging the layoff axe. Suddenly, everyone's "restructuring." It's like a damn contagion.

And the worst part? These "rolling layoffs" of 50 people here, 20 there. It's death by a thousand cuts. Companies get to quietly bleed employees without making too much noise. Meanwhile, the remaining workers are left to stew in their anxiety, wondering when their turn will come.

According to Glassdoor, mentions of layoffs and job insecurity are higher now than even at the start of the pandemic. Think about that for a second. The pandemic. That's a pretty low bar, and we're somehow limboing under it. As Verizon and other big orgs announce layoffs, is it spooking your employees? reports, this can have a significant impact on employee morale.

HR's solution? "Transparency and communication." Oh, please. Transparency doesn't pay the bills. Empathy doesn't stop the panic. And let's be real, how much can you actually trust what HR tells you anyway? They're paid to protect the company, not your feelings.

I saw a story once about a guy who got laid off right after getting "employee of the month". Talk about a kick in the teeth.

The Future is Bleak (Maybe?)

The article hints at AI playing a role in all this. Of course, it does. Everything's AI's fault these days. But let's be real—AI is just a tool. A tool that companies are using to squeeze even more blood from the stone.

So, what happens next? More layoffs? More anxiety? More corporate doublespeak? Probably. It's the circle of life, corporate style.

Then again, maybe I'm just being too negative. Maybe this is all part of some grand plan. Maybe Verizon will emerge leaner and meaner, ready to take on the future. Maybe pigs will fly.

This Ain't No Rebirth, It's a Wake