ABSTRACT
This case discusses the post-layoff challenge faced by Swiggy, one of India’s major food aggregators, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The nationwide lockdown announced on March 25, 2020, to combat Covid-19 had left the online food ordering and delivery business in limbo, forcing many food aggregators, including Swiggy, to re-align their businesses. This case analyses Swiggy CEO Sriharsha Majety’s decision to layoff 1100 employees and the company’s business model, values, and people policy. The case provides valuable insights on managing the motivation and morale of the surviving employees amidst an economic or financial crisis. Instructors of employee motivation, people management, strategy, and leadership programmes may find this case useful for teaching challenges business leaders face when managing layoffs, and strategies to keep the surviving workforce’s morale and performance high, alternatives to layoffs, and workforce management during periods of realignment. © 2021, NeilsonJournals Publishing. All rights reserved.