A business owner and CEO has gone viral on LinkedIn after announcing company layoffs with a teary-eyed selfie.
Braden Wallake, CEO of business-to-business marketing agency HyperSocial, took to the social media platform on Tuesday to share what he claimed was "the most vulnerable thing" he would ever share.
However, many people weren't impressed by the post, and lefts comments slamming Wallake for being "out-of-touch" and "cringy".
Wallake began the controversial statement by writing: "This will be the most vulnerable thing I’ll ever share. I’ve gone back and forth whether to post this or not."
He continued: "We just had to layoff a few of our employees. I’ve seen a lot of layoffs over the last few weeks on LinkedIn. Most of those are due to the economy, or whatever other reason. Ours? My fault."
The CEO candidly explained that a decision he made several months ago has led to the company needing to let employees go.
"I know my team will say that 'we made that decision together,' but I lead us into it. And because of those failings, I had to do today, the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do," he wrote.
Wallake went on to say: "I just want people to see, that not every CEO out there is cold-hearted and doesn't care when he/she have to lay people off."
He wrapped up the post by sharing a selfie of himself weeping and by professing his love for his employees.
"I know it isn't professional to tell my employees that I love them. But from the bottom of my heart, I hope they know how much I do. Every single one. Every single story. Every single thing that makes them smile and every single thing that makes them cry," he wrote.
Wallake's post was met with a mixed reaction by other LinkedIn users. Many felt that it was unfair to make himself the victim.
"How about using your network to help those employees find new jobs," one person commented, adding: "This is one of the most out-of-touch posts I’ve seen in a long time."
Another agreed: "This does come across as tone-deaf, self-indulgent and a tad inauthentic. Maybe you could have made the post about the people your decisions have impacted, rather than about yourself?"
"I was just laid off - along with many others. If my CEO sent this I'd probably lose my mind," a third wrote, adding: "This isn't how you show empathy. DO MORE for your employees that were let go and those still existing."
However, others praised Wallake for being openly vulnerable and blasted his critics for not considering the CEO's mental health.
One argued that it was "pretty damn disgusting" that "in a world where we are trying to promote men to talk, men to open up their feelings and men to talk about their mental health, they are met with [hate and mockery]."
"When I see this post- I see a guy who is literally just trying his best," another wrote, adding: "He's taken responsibility, and he cares. How on earth did we get to a point where we decided to ridicule people who care?"
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