Çeti?n, Mahmut BerkanGündüz, Selim2025-01-062025-01-062024978-104026410-2978-103260913-310.4324/9781003461074-82-s2.0-85209849047https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003461074-8https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14669/1629The purpose of this chapter is to provide an extensive overview of the underlying dynamics and socio-economic effects and consequences of the post-pandemic global tech layoffs while contributing to the literature by bringing forward pressing issues, like ‘backdoor layoffs’, and comprehensive insights while identifying the opportunities and challenges. Due to the multi-faceted nature of the phenomenon, an interdisciplinary approach is being employed, combining the empirical findings from various sources, including interviews, social media, and databases, into theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies. A multi-level analysis of the global tech layoffs is conducted through these case studies. As a result, this study reveals the root causes from the top and uncovers various challenges, like economic downturns, uncertainties, corporate strategies, and unethical practices. Moreover, companies are expected to follow the strategies of successful peers, and in the case of workforce reduction, small and medium enterprises follow different trajectories from each other but homogenous trends within their peer groups. This finding indicates that the global tech layoff has a multi-level nature, and each level has diverse needs and expectations to be addressed. At the social level, this chapter defines backdoor layoffs term and delves into their consequences that can exacerbate inequalities, especially for discrimination groups, and create barriers to re-employment. Addressing unethical backdoor layoff practices and creating a more sustainable tech labor market requires a wider participation of stakeholders. Finally, this chapter sheds light on the gaps in the mass layoffs scholarship, offering theoretical frameworks, definitions, and empirical evidence to expand the literature. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Shilpa Deo and Fatma Feyza Gündüz; individual chapters, the contributors.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessBook Chapter186157