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Halloween usually inspires spooky decor around the workplace that is meant to be all in good fun.
But while many employed mortals really get into the festivities at work with their creativity, one company sparked outrage for how they decided to celebrate Halloween.
A TikTok video by an employee named Kelly Murphy shared the horrors she found at her place of work and shared it on the antiwork subReddit.
Her office was visited by a handful of life-sized ghosts–represented by what appears to be balloons draped in sheets–sitting in vacant chairs inside cubicles that were once occupied by employees prior to getting laid off.
The lack of remorse was further evidenced by the sheets of paper attached to the individual ghosts–which were written with the names of the offed workers followed by, "Ghosts of Employees Past."
"My company did layoffs and this is how they're celebrating Halloween," read the text overlay in the clip, which you can see here.
Redditors were mortified at the callousness of this company's response to letting go of its employees.
Many social media users suggested this now-viral video was going to be a PR nightmare for the unnamed company.
"It's gonna take a loooot of pizza parties to fix this booboo," wrote @J0hnnyv1.
Other comments also found this stunt was in poor taste.
@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
Some speculated the display of specters was some form of protest.
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@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
Not everyone was in agreement.
These users thought the message came from the top aimed at slackers.
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@FashionGaming/Reddit
But a strong majority maintained the stunt was cruel.
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@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
@FashionGaming/Reddit
This year, more than 45,000 workers in the U.S. tech sector have been laid off as a result of massive job cuts, according to a Crunchbase News tally.
Notable U.S. tech layoffs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic–as well as overhiring during a rapid growth period–included big tech companies like Peloton, GoPuff, Netflix, Zillow, and Noom.
At a time when many unemployed people struggle to look for work or when those already earning a livable wage fear they might not survive the next round of layoffs, this spooky display is no laughing matter.