Episode 491: Re-arranging deck chairs on the Titantic and my boss leaks private info

18 snips

Dec 15, 2025

This episode dives into the tension of impending layoffs, with a listener navigating their resignation just before a major cut. The hosts dissect the fallout from poor communication during the last layoffs, causing panic and morale issues. They offer strategies for utilizing the final 90 days at work, suggesting everything from knowledge sharing to spreading positivity. Another listener brings up a bad manager who leaks private info, leading to discussions on the risks of involving HR and approaches to address toxic leadership.

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ADVICE

Bring Calm And Practical Hope

Do offer levity and hope to stressed coworkers to reduce panic and spread calm.
Do help where you can or signal that other jobs exist to provide perspective and morale.

ADVICE

Treat Long Notice Like Short Exit

Try treating much of your 90‑day notice like a shorter two‑week exit to protect your energy.
Do focus your final weeks on meaningful knowledge transfer or clear deliverables rather than endless availability.

ADVICE

Use Freedom To Reduce Future Burden

Do invest your freedom on useful technical work that reduces team burden or completes essential tasks.
Avoid half‑finished risky refactors that leave teammates to clean up after you.

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In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions:

I handed in my resignation this past Monday. During the conversation, my manager confided in me that this coming Wednesday, 25% of the workforce is being laid off.

For context, this is the second round of layoffs. The first round happened a year ago and was a disaster. It was announced via an internal video the night before, but the CEO forgot to mention that the affected employees had already been notified privately. This caused mass panic; thinking they were next, many experienced engineers immediately brushed up their resumes and jumped ship voluntarily. Even my skip-level manager was in the dark. Shortly after that chaos, we were acquired by an American Private Equity firm.

Morale has been at an all-time low ever since, and the writing has been on the wall all year.

Now I am in the awkward position of serving my three-month notice period while walking through the ruins of my company. I am the “lucky one” who quit voluntarily two days before the hammer dropped to join a different company for a massive raise and promotion, while my colleagues are about to lose their jobs.

How do I navigate the next 90 days? How do I interact with the survivors who are likely furious and overworked, knowing I’m already checking out?

Sincerely,

Rearranging Deckchairs on the Titanic
Hello!

I have a bad manager, like really bad. She gets the whole team together to say “so and so is getting laid off tomorrow, or in a month, don’t say anything”. She openly shares employee compensation in 1-1’s, gossips about her boss and team members and takes feedback as personal attacks.

Would you believe me if I said that no one trusts her?

What should I do? I want to contact HR but I have never talked to HR before in my career. I know I can’t tell her because engineers who have offered feedback on team dynamics, or general professionalism, get yelled in 1-1’s. Is this something worth taking to HR or do I just live with it until… I get a new job? If I do say something what do I say? Do I bring up the distrust she has created amongst the team or do I keep it to the poor judgement and unprofessionalism? Do you want to write the letter for me? Yes!? Thanks!