Recent analyses suggest that the large-scale layoffs sweeping through major US big tech companies are primarily targeting middle managers.
On the 6th (local time), Bloomberg reported that big tech firms, after years of massive hiring, are now reducing staff and cutting down the middle management layer, which is often large and criticized as 'inefficient.'
Meta announced that it will designate this year as the 'Year of Efficiency' and plans to reduce several levels within its managerial ranks. Intel decided to cut not only executive pay but also managerial salaries to secure cash. After acquiring Twitter last year, Elon Musk laid off 7,000 employees. In October last year, when asked "What is the biggest mess at Twitter?" he remarked, "There is one coder for every ten managers."
Similar trends are emerging outside the IT industry as well. Logistics company FedEx is reducing executive positions by more than 10% to make the company more efficient and agile.
Middle managers are under pressure from superiors to accomplish more work with fewer staff and to bring their subordinates back to the office after COVID-19. According to a survey released by Slack's 'Future Forum,' Bloomberg reported that 43% of middle managers said they were experiencing burnout, the highest proportion among various job levels.
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