Following Microsoft’s announcement on January 18 to lay off 10,000 employees, accounting for almost 5 percent of its global workforce, a former vice-president of human resources has come forward to share three categories of employees at most risk of being fired two of the safest categories.
Chris Williams, who is now a podcaster, consultant, and TikTok creator, told Business Insider, “Every industry, company, even department, has a different risk, but some areas are more vulnerable than others.” He then listed the three most unsafe categories.
1.) Contract workers
“At the extreme end of the risk spectrum are contract employees.” One of the main reasons companies use temporary or contract workers is for this very contingency. “They want to remain flexible in case of a downturn,” Williams told the publication.
2.) Employees associated with new initiatives
When companies explore new avenues during a good phase, they tend to hire employees for these new initiatives. Such employees are at risk during layoffs if the company decides to play it safe. “Unless the company is making a concerted effort to pivot entirely to these new areas, these kinds of new initiatives are often the first ones cut when times are leaner,” Williams told Business Insider.
3.) Employees associated with event planning
According to Williams, events and luxury activities are quick to be axed when companies find themselves in a tight spot, putting employees who handle events at risk of layoffs. “If you are involved in planning events, for example, those are some of the first things that companies cut when times get tight. People who are part of providing such services are at high risk of being laid off
