I worked doing layoffs and you always say to the press you are removing low performers because what else are you going to say?

In reality that’s not what happens. Instead you get rid of teams, roles or high cost individuals. Why? Because it is much easier to deal with the work the let go individuals are doing and it impacts morale less.

I never saw a stack ranked layoff. The closest was demanding teams all lose someone. But that leaves teams with really good people getting rid of good people and teams full of dogs retaining them.