Those places cannot operate when so many are forced out.
Exactly. In my biz, one position CANNOT be replaced by an amateur, and most times the replacement gets yelled at by union groupies.
Sure they can. No one is irreplaceable. They’ll hire in replacements, and if things go south, they’ll blame a lack of training.
I’ve worked in IT for 25+ years. EVERYONE is replaceable.
The executives ordering the firings do not care.
They will crash and burn the companies in which they work before they will tolerate disobedient minions. And there won't be any apologies later.
Plan accordingly.
Companies have large scale layoffs all the time and still press on with whoever is left. If they're only talking one or two or five percent then it won't be a major issue. Headcount is reduces and without all the costs of severance payments.