4 Reasons HR and TA Are Having A Bloodbath Moment

Brian Fink
2 min readMar 20, 2023

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Photo by Julius Drost on Unsplash

Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Layoffs in HR and Talent Acquisition are happening, and we need to get down to the bottom of it. This isn’t some kind of tech unicorn losing its sparkle; it’s a real issue affecting real people. So, let’s unpack this thing like we’re dissecting a company’s balance sheet.

First off, let’s talk technology. The relentless march of innovation has a way of disrupting every industry, and HR and Talent Acquisition are no exceptions. With the rise of AI-driven tools, automation, and software that can screen candidates and match them with job openings at a fraction of the time, companies are getting seduced by the cost savings and efficiencies. The result? HR professionals are getting replaced by algorithms like a cashier at your local supermarket.

Second, we’ve got the gig economy. It’s changing the way businesses look at their workforce. It’s no longer about finding full-time employees and retaining them for decades; it’s about getting the right skills for the job at the right time. Talent Acquisition teams are getting downsized, as organizations increasingly rely on freelancers, remote workers, and project-based staffing solutions.

Next up, let’s not forget the economic downturns. When the economy takes a nosedive, it’s like a Rottweiler on a leash — you can bet companies are going to tighten the belt. And when the belt gets tightened, HR departments often find themselves in the crosshairs. It’s a short-sighted move, but executives and shareholders are hungry for cost savings, and they’ll take it wherever they can find it.

Finally, there’s a broader trend towards leaner organizational structures. Companies are trimming the fat, and they’re coming for HR departments with a butcher’s knife. In their quest for agility and competitiveness, organizations are looking to outsource HR functions and consolidate roles, which unfortunately leads to layoffs.

So there you have it. Layoffs in HR and Talent Acquisition are driven by the unstoppable force of technology, the rise of the gig economy, economic downturns, and a relentless pursuit of efficiency. It’s a harsh reality, but it’s important to face the facts and adapt. HR professionals need to stay agile, upskill, and demonstrate their value if they want to weather the storm and avoid being left out in the cold.

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Brian Fink

Executive Recruiter. ✈ #ATL ↔ #SF ✈ Building companies is my favorite. Opinions are my own. Responsibility is freedom. 🖖