> I take it you’re worried about vengeful ex-employees abusing their access privileges to break stuff on the way out?
In extreme cases. But also just sowing discontent. Looking to grab value they think they are owed. Generally lots of people who are upset and probably feel mistreated and have very little to lose.
I actually think there is a small but real chance of violence as people like OP feel like their identity and way of life is threatened.
Have you been in a situation like this before?
lots of people who are upset and probably feel mistreated [...] people like OP feel like their identity and way of life is threatened
But they feel like that because they're being ghosted by the company! Suddenly cut off, with no way to tie up loose ends and say goodbye to people on the way out. That's the mistreatment. If you don't mistreat them like that, maybe people won't feel mistreated or threatened.
I don't have tons of experience with layoffs. In the case where people in my team were directly affected, the company did not summarily cut off access overnight (they couldn't legally, as this was in the UK). It was completely fine and everybody was friendly and civil. It helps that the severance package was very generous, and admittedly the job market was good at the time so people would have been less worried about finding their next job.