For most employees, being laid off is one of the hardest experiences of their lives. According to INTOO, 80% of workers rank layoffs as their worst career moment, while 78% feel companies fail to provide enough support during the process. Worse, 60% believe their leaders lack empathy when layoffs happen. Clearly, layoffs don’t just affect the people leaving—they also leave lasting scars on those who remain.

While no one expects layoffs to be pleasant, they don’t have to be crushing either. When handled with care, transparency, and dignity, layoffs can be managed in ways that protect trust, morale, and a company’s reputation.

Layoffs: By the Numbers

Research shows just how damaging poorly handled layoffs can be. Employees who have been laid off—or even witnessed one—are 1.5 times more fearful of losing their own jobs. A third of employees say their company did “as little as possible” to support them after layoffs, despite 77% of HR leaders insisting they act fairly.

The fallout is real:

• 71% of workers (including 82% of Gen Z) would job hunt immediately after a layoff.

• 62% report a loss of trust in their employer.

• Nearly 1 in 6 employees admit to quiet quitting after layoffs.

• Half of laid-off employees retaliate with negative reviews or social media posts.

This disconnect highlights why layoffs often damage culture and brand far more than leaders anticipate.

The Culture and Brand Fallout of Layoffs

Layoffs don’t only affect individuals—they ripple across an entire workplace. Remaining employees face higher burnout, heavier workloads, and lower engagement. Trust and loyalty decline, with 71% saying they would never return to a company that laid them off.

The damage extends externally too. Social media has become a megaphone for layoff experiences, especially for Gen Z. Nearly 1 in 5 employees say they would share their story publicly, creating reputational risks for employers. In today’s digital age, a poorly managed layoff can erode years of employer branding in a matter of days.

How Leaders Can Make Layoffs More Humane

Layoffs may sometimes be unavoidable—but how leaders handle them defines company culture for years to come. Providing outplacement support is one of the most effective ways to reduce harm. Services like career coaching, interview preparation, financial planning, and job search resources show employees that they are valued even in difficult times.

Yet only 42% of U.S. employers and one-third of global companies currently offer such support. This is a missed opportunity to show compassion, maintain trust, and protect employer reputation. Leaders who communicate openly, act with empathy, and provide real resources can ensure layoffs are remembered not as a betrayal, but as a moment of humanity in business.