Headcount freezes across the board?

Standard operating procedure for the conglomerate. They don't do flashy press releases about layoffs or restructuring because it isn't their style. They prefer silent attrition—just let the roles sit empty once someone leaves and tighten the purse strings until the P&L looks better. It’s a slow-motion tightening that feels frustrating if you’re trying to build something, but it’s how they manage expenses without the drama of a public RIF. Just keep your head down and focus on your core output for now.

Honestly, it sounds like the typical lean-and-mean approach coming down from the top. When the broader market looks shaky, they just quietly lock the budgets and watch the natural turnover do the heavy lifting for them. It’s definitely unnerving to see roles vanish without a peep, but that’s the reality of working under this corporate culture. They value capital allocation over everything else, and right now, your headcount is just another expense being scrutinized. Hang tight and wait for the next quarterly guidance to see if things thaw out.