Stage 2 · Lesson 2 of 6
Warning signs at company level
Some signs at company level often come before cuts. A , especially on backfills (replacing people who leave). Missed results, falling or a failed .
New leaders brought in to "focus" or "simplify". A into fewer, larger groups. Projects cancelled or "paused".
Travel and perks cut. Leaders talking publicly about efficiency or about AI reducing : Amazon's CEO wrote in June 2025 that AI would reduce its corporate workforce, months before its large cuts. Some companies also use strict return-to-office rules hoping people will quit; in a 2024 BambooHR survey, a quarter of executives admitted hoping for that.
One sign means little. Several together are a reason to strengthen your position.
Common trapignoring a pattern because nobody has said the word "layoff".
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 3 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with
- GuideFreeThe Pragmatic Engineer
Gergely Orosz
Free posts that explain how tech companies plan cuts, reorganise and decide headcount
Keep handy
Also worth your time
Questions that get your manager talking about priorities and the next quarter
- r/ExperiencedDevsGo deeper
How experienced engineers read reorganisations and decide when to move