Big Tech Layoffs Tied to Record Inflation in 2022

Layoffs at Big Tech behemoths such as Twitter, Amazon.com, and Meta Platforms (Facebook) are the first on a large scale since early 2020.

After years of falling unemployment in the United States, it may appear that Silicon Valley is heralding the start of a dystopian future for workers. However, there is a good chance that what happens in Silicon Valley will not affect the rest of the economy.

A few years ago, big tech firms were quick to hire. After the pandemic struck in 2020, it took four months for employment in the “other information” sector to return to pre-pandemic levels. In comparison, total employment did not recover for another 29 months.

Regarding firing, Big tech in Silicon Valley is also ahead of the curve. Rising interest rates make capital more expensive, forcing businesses to cut spending on future projects.

This is especially difficult for tech companies that rely heavily on innovation to drive growth. Elon Musk cut Twitter’s headcount in half in November to cut costs. Employment has since fallen further as dissatisfied employees resign.

Companies are still hiring elsewhere. In September, there were roughly two job openings for every available worker.

According to Indeed, job postings for restaurant workers were up 38% from pre-pandemic levels as of Nov. 10. Listings for hospitality and tourism are 15% higher than they were previously.

Big Tech layoffs and slower hiring

Could Silicon Valley’s aches and pains spread? That depends on the Federal Reserve, which is mandated to reduce inflation from 6.3% to 2%, excluding food and energy prices.

In September, officials warned that the fight would almost certainly result in layoffs and slower hiring. According to the Fed’s projections, unemployment will reach 4.4% in 2024, implying that 1.2 million more people will be out of work.

Nonetheless, inflation appears to have peaked in June. On Wednesday, Fed Governor Christopher Waller suggested that such a trade-off might be avoidable.

This raises the prospect of a tech-specific adjustment rather than a white-collar recession. That’s not much consolation for employees returning their door badges. However, it suggests that Silicon Valley’s modest purge may be the worst it gets.

Amazon.com, Twitter, Meta Platforms, and other technology companies have recently laid off tens of thousands of workers as executives look to cut costs and prepare for slower growth.

According to the Federal Reserve, rising interest rates could lead to higher unemployment. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has repeatedly emphasized high job openings as a sign of an imbalanced labour market.

Inflation killing jobs

Inflation data released on November 10 showed that prices rose 7.7% yearly through October. This is a decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.2%.

According to a KPMG study, at least 91 percent of top job creators are bracing for a Biden Recession, with more than half considering layoffs in the next six months.

“America’s CEOs are becoming an increasingly pessimistic group as inflation rages, and the Federal Reserve keeps hiking interest rates,” according to Fox Business.

Another recent survey found that more than a third of chief financial officers (CFOs) believe the United States is either in a recession or will be by the end of the year.

Layoffs at Big tech companies in the United States and Europe have recently increased due to record inflation, higher energy costs, and central banks aggressively raising interest rates, which has fueled recession fears.

During the coronavirus pandemic, technology companies increased hiring to meet increased consumer demand, but the tables have turned in 2022.

Global inflation has reached its highest level in nearly 40 years, forcing central banks to raise interest rates in late 2021, significantly reducing the amount of capital and liquidity available in markets for investment.

Major technology companies have been laying off employees or putting new hires on hold at an unprecedented rate to cut costs.

According to the data tracker website Layoffs.FYI, 788 tech companies have laid off 120,699 employees worldwide since the beginning of 2022.

According to a report by business information provider Crunchbase, over 67,000 workers in the US technology industry have been laid off this year.

Source: Reuters