HubSpot founder’s LinkedIn post thanking laid-off employees sparks criticism

HubSpot's founder and CTO, Dharmesh Shah, has faced criticism for a brief LinkedIn post thanking the employees the company recently laid off. In his 28-word message, Shah expressed gratitude to those who were let go, stating they contributed to HubSpot's success and wishing them well in their next endeavors. The cloud-based software company disclosed on Tuesday that it was reducing its workforce by 7%, equivalent to approximately 660 employees.

CEO Yamini Rangan communicated the decision internally, emphasizing the company's strategic alignment as the reason for the layoffs, not AI-related efficiencies.

Shah's post has received largely negative responses on social media, with many finding it cold and impersonal. Commenters likened his tone to a dismissive farewell, with some describing it as "insincere." A few even suggested terms like "firing" or "parted ways" might be more accurate. The criticism stems from the perception that Shah downplayed the emotional impact of the layoffs by using vague language.

Experts in organizational communication warn that such wording can backfire, undermining trust and potentially harming company culture.

Industry experts stress that executives often inadvertently weaken their message when attempting to soften the blow of layoffs. Using vague or unclear language, according to Karina Mangu-Ward, Fast Company's organizational and careers expert, can be interpreted as evasion, leading to a loss of trust among the remaining staff. Similarly, Tammy Perkins, a former Microsoft and Amazon HR leader, argues that downplaying layoffs or using corporate jargon can damage the morale and trust of the workforce.

She advocates for leaders to communicate honestly and show genuine concern during difficult transitions, suggesting that doing so can help mitigate the negative effects on company culture that often accompany such events.