As tech layoffs continue to dominate headlines, a new trend is emerging among younger workers: posting their layoff experiences on TikTok. In a Wired article, Columbia Business School’s Associate Professor Daniel Keum shared his thoughts on why this shift is happening. Keum suggests that tech workers, many highly educated and strategic, are using these videos to push back against corporate culture and reclaim control over their narratives. With so many layoffs occurring, workers feel safer sharing their stories without the fear of being judged.
This trend reflects deeper changes in the workplace, including the growing disconnect between employers and employees. These videos aren’t just about venting—they reveal how workers are responding to layoffs in an age of remote work and economic uncertainty, and new realities of job security and how social media is reshaping professional boundaries.
Read the full article for more on how AI and social media are reshaping work culture.
Mentioned Faculty
Daniel Keum
Daniel (Dongil) Keum is an Associate Professor of Management at Columbia Business School. His research interests lie in innovation, organizational structure, labor market policy, and their application to public policy formation. He holds a PhD from NYU Stern School of Business and an AB with high honors in economics and mathematics from Dartmouth College. Prior to pursuing a career in academia, Daniel worked at McKinsey & Company for four years. His primary industry experience is in retail, fashion, and corporate portfolio restructuring.