The impact of the global economic slowdown has been felt in many industries, with the tech sector being no exception. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Salesforce, Twitter, and Snap have announced large-scale layoffs in recent months. The layoffs have stripped away the facade of aspirational corporate life shown in TikTok’s “day in the life” vlogs, as some tech workers have pivoted to content about unemployment and labor rights.
Nicole Tsai, a popular TikTok vlogger, documented her experience of being laid off by Google in a moving video that has gone viral. Nicole received an ominous text from her boss, who informed her about being laid off along with 12,000 other employees. She tried to access her work email, but discovered that she no longer had access, leading her to break down in tears. After contacting her boss again, both Nicole and her boss sobbed over the phone. Nicole contacted colleagues and found out that the way Google handled the layoffs was like a “really bad game of Russian roulette”.
Many TikTok creators have taken a similar approach to Nicole, sharing their experiences of being laid off and their struggles with unemployment. Videos of layoffs often show creators becoming emotional, but some creators take an earnest approach, posting daily vlogs about their mental health and job search experience. Creators are using their platforms to educate viewers about their rights, such as the importance of unions in the tech industry and the need to negotiate severance pay. Many creators have expressed solidarity with other workers affected by recent layoffs, reminding themselves that they are more than just their career and employer.
TikTok creators have been creating aspirational “day in the life” vlogs showcasing corporate perks. In one such video, a Google account strategist documented valeting her car for free and taking a break in the “nap room” before attending a meeting in a Harry Potter-themed conference room. A program manager at Microsoft showed off her lunch of red wine-braised short ribs and her coffee break at the company’s in-house cafe in another video. However, the recent wave of layoffs has highlighted the stark contrast between the aspirational content and the realities of job insecurity.
The tech industry is not immune to the impact of the global economic slowdown, and the announcement of large-scale layoffs by several tech giants has only served to reinforce this. As tech workers continue to share their experiences on social media, it is clear that job insecurity is a real concern for many people. The impact of the recent wave of tech layoffs on the wider economy is yet to be seen, but it is clear that it will be significant.
The impact of tech layoffs has been felt by many people in the industry, and TikTok creators have been no exception. The contrast between aspirational content and the realities of unemployment has been highlighted in recent months, as tech workers have pivoted to content about unemployment and labor rights. As the economy continues to navigate difficult terrain, it is clear that the impact of tech layoffs will be significant, and it is important that workers are given the support they need to navigate this difficult time.
