Death by 1,000 Layoffs #workplaceculture

In this episode of Mondays Unfiltered, hosts Heather and Kristin unpack Glassdoor’s 2026 trend #2: the “forever layoff,” where frequent small layoffs (under ~50 people) have become more common, rising from 38% in 2015 to 51% in 2025. They discuss how rolling layoffs can reduce headcount without headlines but create cultures of anxiety, insecurity, and resentment, and argue layoffs have shifted from being shameful to being rewarded by markets. Using Oracle as an example, they question whether AI-driven cuts remove critical institutional knowledge and harm customers despite boosting stock. They note layoffs can drive additional turnover (7.7%) and advise employees to stay prepared by networking, updating resumes, advocating for themselves, and building mindset boundaries, skills, and options—including leaving or reskilling. 00:00 Forever Layoff Teaser 00:26 Podcast Intro 01:14 Trend Two Setup 01:35 Layoffs Then vs Now 03:30 Defining Forever Layoffs 04:19 Why Companies Do It 06:44 Oracle and AI Cuts 10:35 Better Alternatives to Layoffs 12:47 Choosing Stable Employers 14:14 Fear Culture Fallout 16:57 Employee Survival Playbook 19:04 Identity Beyond Your Title 21:34 Mindset and Upskilling Tactics 23:17 Hoteling and No Desk Personalization 24:15 Share Your Stories Outro 25:07 Final Signoff