A reduction in force (RIF) decreases the number of employees retained by eliminating positions without intending to hire replacements. It differs from ordinary hiring pauses because existing roles are removed. section 13.3.2
Organizations may reduce their workforce after unfavorable market conditions, overhiring, declining demand, automation, or internal team mergers. Managing the change requires planning, communication, and empathy. section 13.3 section 13.3.2
An engineering manager may need to:
- Coordinate with human resources when identifying or communicating affected employees. section 13.3.2
- Deliver difficult news when the organization entrusts that responsibility to managers. section 13.3.2
- Recognize that layoffs can be emotional for managers and team members. section 13.3.2
Technology-sector adjustment
After pandemic-era demand declined, some technology companies reduced staff following overhiring. Separately, AI tools automated tasks and changed demand for software, machine-learning, and data-science expertise. section 13.3.2
