Comment by turtlebits

17 hours ago

Who cares? If you're getting laid off, the only thing that really matters is the severance package.

Its all lip service - either AI generated or hand written.

> If you're getting laid off, the only thing that really matters is the severance package.

I don't think this is true. Humans typically prefer "thanks for the hard work, here's your severance" to "you suck, here's your severance, loser."

Humans like being treated with respect, and words are a big part of that. Money is nice, but it's not the only thing we care about.

  • The difference between the "thanks" email and the "loser" email is that the second one is intentionally disrespectful.

    I'm not convinced a polite but AI-written email hits the same note. At the very least it's unintentionally disrespectful, which isn't a direct challenge. Your boss doesn't care enough to write an email by hand, but also doesn't care enough to burn bridges and insult you.

    • > At the very least it's unintentionally disrespectful

      There is ZERO CHANCE they have used ai unintentionally

      > also doesn't care enough to burn bridges and insult you.

      By actively using ai they are stating that you are so much beyond them that even a personal "eff you" is not worth the time. One would have to actively try and poke some personally hurtful areas to come off more insulting than use of ai.

  • But what if was "Thanks for the hard work, here's your legal minimum severance" vs "You suck, here's a lavish severance so you don't ever come back"?

There are other audiences, too.

One group are the ones who are staying. They lose teammates, they have to restructure work and fear whether there will be another round soon, which may hit them.

And then there are customers, investors, ... who need to be assured they are not dealing with a failing company.

If the main guy's email is written by AI, at this point we're actually in an invasion of the body snatchers scenario.

Who actually is required?

.. fundamentally, it's only the person collecting payment.