CHARLOTTE – A new website launched by a local tech executive is hoping to turn layoffs into offers for millions of displaced workers impacted by COVID-19.

LayOffers.com went live on April 6 and now tracks hundreds of layoff events with the aim of connecting job candidates with top recruiters – at no cost.

Already, thousands of recruiters and candidates have joined the site, its founder Jeffrey Jewett said, and more than 10,000 new jobs added.

“The motivation now is ensuring that Americans can get back to work with the right companies,” he told WRAL TechWire.

“We do that by building a useful resource for recruiters and by holding companies accountable.”

Other sites such as TheLayoff.com, Glassdoor and Indeed.com offer a variety of jobs-related information so Jewett is not without competition.

Among the site’s features:

  • Comprehensive company directory where people can discuss potential layoffs anonymously – like Glassdoor or Indeed focused on layoffs with a Reddit style company discussion around recent layoff events, provide reviews on their outplacement services, and report on the company’s outlook.
  • A candidate explorer where recruiters can find layoff victims from specific companies and set up criteria specific alerts that trigger notifications once candidates join and match this criteria.
  • Jobs board where layoff victims can find newly posted jobs that haven’t been frozen due to economic uncertainty.
  • Real-time monitoring: A live layoff list where users are submitting layoffs in real-time
  • A support forum: where users can provide mental and emotional support to one another.

Jewett said the site had been in the works for some time, but he accelerated the launch in light of the current economic uncertainty.

“It’s all about community and transparency,” he said. “When people are let go, they should feel supported and have the tools to be proactive, and the information available to make the right decision about their next employer.”

Jewett added he’s not looking to profit from the site during the crisis. However, long term, there are a number of avenues for generating revenue.

“We have deliberately chosen not to position ourselves as a non-profit. Specifically, once the country moves on from COVID-19, there will still be millions of people laid off every year, we want to build a lasting platform and community that can withstand the test of time,” he said.