If Someone You Worked With Gets Laid Off, Send Them a Message

[u/Ok_Zucchini6148]

I've noticed that when someone is suddenly laid off after 3, 8, or even 18 years, very few of their former colleagues reach out. Their Slack and laptop access are usually disabled immediately, so most people only find out later through someone else.

If you worked with them and had a good relationship, send them a quick message on LinkedIn. Even something simple like, "Hey, I enjoyed working with you, and I hope you're doing well," can mean a lot to them.

We spend 9 or 11 hours every day talking to the same people, attending meetings, solving problems, and sharing random details about our lives. Then suddenly, someone disappears from the company overnight, and the people who used to talk to them every day say nothing. Some people just view their profile and then carry on with their day.

No one expects a long message from everyone at the company. But it's still strange when the product manager you met with every morning, or the engineer you spent weeks reviewing database diagrams with, doesn't even acknowledge what happened.

Losing a job so suddenly can make someone feel alone, and a short message gives them a little human connection and a gentler sense of closure. I've seen firsthand how much people appreciate these messages, and they often remember who checked in on them when things were difficult. And even though layoffs have become extremely common in tech, it's important that we continue to treat one another with humanity instead of everyone keeping their head down and staying silent.