The rise of quiet cutting

Discover how companies are quietly reducing their workforce without layoffs, avoiding negative publicity while impacting employees' job security.
The article discusses a phenomenon called “quiet cutting” where companies are finding ways to cut jobs without officially firing employees. Layoffs are down, but workers are receiving messages that their jobs are gone. The article highlights the jarring nature of this approach and suggests that it is a way for companies to avoid negative publicity associated with layoffs. The key insight is that while the number of layoffs may be decreasing, companies are still finding alternative ways to reduce their workforce.
Original article: Youve Heard of Quiet Quitting. Now Companies Are Quiet Cutting.
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