MAJOR LAYOFFS & SALARY CUTS:WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE UPCOMING RECESSION?

In recent months, many companies have been forced to make difficult decisions in light of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the areas that has been particularly affected is the financial sector, as companies such as Google and Microsoft have announced significant job cuts.

Taking the example of Google, announced that they are cutting around 4,000 jobs in their teams and sectors.

"All roles above the senior vice president level will witness ‘very significant’ reduction in their annual bonus. For senior roles, the compensation is linked to company performance" - Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google

Similarly, Microsoft announced that it would be cutting around 1,500 jobs in its sales and marketing teams, also citing the impact of the pandemic on its business.

Twitter CEO, Elon Musk was well ahead of the curve when he fired nearly 3700 employees including several top management employees, a couple of months back. Elon sited the sudden reason for the layoffs were to reduce cost, prepare for the upcoming recession and to have a better control over the workforce. Here is a short coverage regarding this matter:

Source: Today

Tim cook the CEO of Apple has decided to take a different approach to weather the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Apple has decided to cut off the salaries for some of its employees for the financial year 2023. This approach allows the company to reduce costs while still maintaining its workforce and preserving its talent pool. By cutting salaries instead of jobs, Apple can ensure that its employees continue to work on critical projects and that its operations remain stable.

Furthermore, cutting salaries can be seen as a way to spread the economic burden more evenly, as opposed to the concentrated impact that job cuts can have. This decision by Apple reflects a company that is looking to balance its financial needs with its commitment to its employees and the long-term success of its business.

These job cuts are not limited to technology companies, as several finance companies have also announced significant layoffs. The investment bank, Goldman Sachs, for example, announced that it would be cutting around 10% of its workforce, which amounts to around 3,000 jobs. The bank cited the impact of the pandemic on its business as the reason for the cuts. Other finance companies such as Morgan Stanley and Citigroup have also announced significant job cuts in recent months.

The job cuts in the financial sector are a reflection of the economic challenges that companies are facing as a result of the pandemic. The economic downturn has led to a decrease in demand for many products and services, which has in turn led to a decrease in revenue for companies. In order to stay financially viable, many companies have been forced to make difficult decisions, such as cutting jobs.

The job cuts in the financial sector will have a significant impact on the economy and on the individuals who have lost their jobs. The decrease in demand for products and services will further decrease the revenue of the companies, leading to a decrease in the financial resources for companies to invest, innovate and grow. Moreover, the loss of jobs will lead to a decrease in the purchasing power of individuals, further slowing down the economy.

Some experts argue that these job cuts are a necessary step for companies to remain financially stable in the current economic climate. As the pandemic has led to a decrease in demand for products and services, companies need to adjust their costs in order to stay profitable. Job cuts can be seen as a way to reduce costs and ensure that the company is in a better position to weather the economic downturn.

On the other hand, some argue that these job cuts may not be the best solution for companies in the long run. Instead of cutting jobs, companies could explore other options such as reducing executive pay or cutting back on non-essential expenses. Additionally, cutting jobs could lead to a decrease in productivity and morale among remaining employees.

In conclusion, the job cuts announced by companies such as Google, Microsoft, and several finance companies are a reflection of the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and also showing the further economic challenges to the companies and the individuals in the future.

The job cuts will have a significant impact on the economy and on the individuals who have lost their jobs leading to fillings of insecurity, anxiety or uncertainty also causing their loss of identity and creating more same/more expense like before and no income. It's important for companies, government and society as a whole to work together to address these challenges and support those who have been affected by the job cuts.