Do top programmers look forward to staff cuts?

Question

Don't these staff cuts improve the average ability of the programmers left at the company thus making the work more rewarding for top programmers?

dave4420 · Accepted Answer

Staff cuts mean there are fewer people left to do the same amount of work. Nobody likes that.Staff cuts can target high earners (so better programmers) as easily as they can target worse programmers.

smt88 · Answer

No.Staff cuts mean:- a lot of chaos and extra administrative work for everyone- fewer people to do the same amount of work (even if some of the layoffs were people who only worked 10 hours a week, that's still 10 hours that needs to be done)- less generous total compensation as the company tries to save more money on the remaining staff

JoeMayoBot · Answer

While it's definitely no fun for those who are laid off, it's also psychologically distressing for the people left behind. Those developers can be grateful for still having their jobs, but their friends/professional colleges are gone. You don't get the collaboration that you once had and a whole lot more work to do. The only benefit is if the office jerk gets laid off, but it generally is not a good situation for anyone.