Schadenfreude

The day right after people get “let go” from an organization, you see the others scuttling about, whispering in hushed voices. It is a natural response to reassure oneself and others that one has friends, control, and all relevant intelligence. What is shocking are those that take this even further, their frowns and head-shaking barely concealing what appears to be glee.

Yes, glee. Or at the very least, a perverse self-satisfaction at having escaped the chopping block. These are the ones that you hear whispering across the cubicle wall: “Tsk. That’s rough. Well, you know what I heard…”