Elsewhere, I cannot speak. In the valley they exist, but aren’t a majority.
Most founders value their people extremely well, because they want to retain them.
Overhiring during the pandemic was obviously a mistake, but once someone did the options quickly became “die” or “cut,” so they cut.
I didn’t have to lay anyone off, but the company that acquired us had plenty of layoffs. Founders aren’t actually as much the issue as huge companies.
I know it does not help but the founder I work for is absolutely not in that train. When world was hiring like crazy he was executing his plan which was driven by sustainability and revenue. So when crisis knocked to our door, not a single dev was laid off, and we actually hired two (unfortunately we are not hiring now..). This guy is a role model for me when it comes to doing business.