The Corporate Class Divide

Big Tech’s Layoffs Reveal an Inconvenient Truth

A former executive from one of the big tech companies who was recently laid off just posted a picture that could have been a poster for a Corona Ad.

I’ve met this person. I like this person.

But I’m thinking about all the people who got laid off without golden parachutes and are literally wondering how they’ll pay the bills.

It’s not a Corona Ad moment I assure you.

Over the past few years, society has experienced a rise in the tension between those perceived as “rich” and everyone else. This will spill over into the corporate environment where “class” is a thing despite what organizations want to believe. It’s more than hierarchy.

Having consulted with a business in the contingent worker space—contractors are often perceived (and frequently treated) as second class corporate citizens. It’s a known issue and the more forward thinking companies are working hard to address this.

But not all FTEs (Full Time Employees) are created equal either. The more senior the executive—the higher the severance package amongst other corporate class defining perks.

All this to say—it doesn’t hurt to view the world through the eyes of those who have significantly less of a safety net.