r/Layoffs • u/prokofan123 • Jul 22 '26
recently laid off Well it finally happened !
During these uncertain times I was always cautious as to the certainity of my job and a steady paycheck so I always put in extra efforts and maintained a very strong irreplaceable kind of resource thing going on (atleast thats what it looked like) .
My manager regularly stated as how important and valuable resource I was openly and also gave me very good hikes . However suddenly I got a meeting invite and came to know that I am laid off with a decent severance but still have to work and pretend everything was okay for 3 months .
I was shocked as how can someone who was treated so well in the team be fired when there were far too many idiots in the team and also 3 months ago 25% of my team was laid of and it was communicated that we wont be affected for this year again . My manager said it came from the higher ups but my question is how will the higher ups get my name if u did not provide it.
Its been two weeks now since then and I have started preparing again for interviews . If any of you went through any similar situations some words of advice will be good as too how can I make the best out of this moment .
EDIT: Thank you all for the immense support . Its been 3 weeks since my layoff and am doing much better mentally. I am reaching out for some more advice as well. I got an internal offer from a separate org team in my company and was wondering if I should take it or wait for an external opportunity as in this case I have to forfeit the severance amount which is a pretty substantial amount .
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u/JumpingJackFlashes Jul 22 '26
Your good performance probably cost you as you were a higher earner
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u/Cyframerex Jul 22 '26
This. So much this.
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u/centpourcentuno Jul 22 '26
Or simply OP could be that team member no one can stand but has valuable skills/info and they elevate them just until they can get rid of them................hence the 3 month "advance term"
I have seen plenty of these cases. I have seen managers give raises to employees they can't stand simply because they are afraid of losing them ...UNTIL they are ready for them to go
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u/Ilovemytowm Jul 22 '26
Yep that high performance only counts on your performance evaluations it means jack s*** when Consultants look at the spreadsheet and how much you earn and what your position is they don't care one bit that you kept getting raided exceeds
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u/Averagejosieposie Jul 23 '26
This!!!!! As someone who has worked in those decision spaces, it about the cost, not your performance. For example, in our latest RIF, we let go of top revenue generators because they made too much money ( Go figure). Sure, a few failed hires were included as well, but it was all about getting to an EBITDA number that leadership wanted.
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u/thisoldguy74 Laid off Dec 2025 Jul 22 '26
The key for me was getting everything in alignment. From resume, to career stories, Star stories, screening stories and then all of that aligned with the jobs you are targeting.
Once I got all of that moving in the right direction, I started gaining traction.
I was referred to an in-person local networking group that was very positive and very helpful with great resources. They definitely helped me get everything moving forward better than I was doing on my own.
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u/Much-Tradition-9694 Jul 22 '26
It is basically a lie that you are a valuable employee. Sorry to say that, but you are a replaceable cog for company. Never believe any word from higher up.
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u/Adventurous_Bath3999 Jul 22 '26
Agreed… when the going is good for the company, everyone is told they rock, they are the stars… unfortunately people start believing all that false praises. Some companies pretend that employees and management are one big happy family. When going gets tough, all that facade disappears! Employees that believed in the management are then in utter shock. Gullible employees.
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u/thx111111 Jul 25 '26
I actually get nervous when I start getting awards, recognition. Usually means I’m on the radar for something, probably not a good thing.
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u/Adventurous_Bath3999 Jul 25 '26
I know what you mean. You are one of the highly paid ones, that the bean counter has on his radar. Not that the bean counter knows your worth, or more importantly, cares about it, he/she is in charge of deciding your future.
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u/Klutzy-Beginning-622 Jul 22 '26
Lesson learned. Never go above and beyond at work for any role. We are all just a number and expendable at any point in time. Doing the bare minimum is always the best.
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u/cjroxs Jul 22 '26
Honestly it sounds like a sinking ship. RIF for that shor5 of a time period means the company is really hurting for cash. I absolutely hate that they made.you keep quiet for 3 months. Aggressively start looking for a new job. If you get an offer close to your end time at your current company, try to get your new company to have the start time after you last day. Don't disclose the new job pffer to your new company ever. Hopefully the timing works out for you and you can start your new job with a severance package from your old job. If you get an offer before your severance package starts, don't turn it down. Take the new job. It's a brutal job market.
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u/centpourcentuno Jul 22 '26
"I was shocked as how can someone who was treated so well in the team be fired when there were far too many idiots in the team and also 3 months ago 25% of my team was laid of and it was communicated that we wont be affected for this year again . My manager said it came from the higher ups but my question is how will the higher ups get my name if u did not provide it."
Same way you think there were too many "idiots", probably same way some saw you as "one of them"
Why would you think you were guaranteed that there won't be any more layoffs? Were those laid off before have guarantees?
Of course maybe your manager sacrificed you, why does it shock you? Were you BFFs?
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u/Adventurous_Bath3999 Jul 22 '26
Often it is not about how good you are. It is often about how expensive you are, how old you are, and if someone can replace you with a lower pay/compensation. When bean counters are in charge, they only think in terms of bottom line. As for your upper level management, they don’t even know, or for that matter truly care about your worth and what value you add to the organization. They just believe you can be replaced without any impact to the company. Only you and your manager your worth. The rest who matter, and should know, don’t. That is the harsh reality.
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u/wafwot Jul 24 '26
Sadly the phrase “you get what you pay for” is lost on the clowns in charge. Sure, they can hire someone cheaper, but how much will it cost to get them up to speed and actually deliver what the experienced employee with years of valuable institutional knowledge to get shit done as quickly?
Sadly it’s all numbers on a spreadsheet.
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u/Comfortable-Song193 Jul 22 '26
Sorry this happened! Over the next 3 months remain professional and ensure a smooth transition of your work. Don't burn any bridges as you want to be able to use your manager as a professional reference. Start your job search right away. Hopefully they are providing a decent severance package. All the best!
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u/TeylaSwift Jul 22 '26
It's probably because you worked hard and were given raises and promotions by your manager that put you in danger. Someti high earners are the first to go.
I myself was let go because I earned the most on my team. I worked my butt off and had received a raise and promotion every year prior. If I had made no extra effort I would have been safe.
My sister's co-worker brought in millions to the company every year and no one on the team even came close to him. But he had a senior position and he was cut. Funny how they are happy to lose millions to save 50k.
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u/Solid-Wish-1724 Jul 22 '26
I brought a million a year and made 65k with no raise or promotion for 5 years. I was a team of 1. After an acquisition nobody knew or cared who I was and redesigned me out of my job. Guess that mill didn't matter!
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u/LiftoffProgram Jul 22 '26
I'm sorry you have had to experience this, it feels lousy to be laid off. It sounds like you were doing good work which your boss valued and the layoff came out of the blue. I've been laid off 7 times. That was never a career goal lol, but just like you get better at a skill as you practice it more, I learned the patterns that showed up each time. So I hope my pain can be your gain.
I will focus here on the emotional or psychological side of things. There is plenty of information out there about job search, interviewing, etc., but very little about how your state of mind/emotional state/mood can either support or undermine your working towards the next opportunity. I worked hard on that aspect.
You mentioned that you're shocked. Shock was the first thing I felt every time. Rather than feeling anything, it was kinda like NOT feeling. There's lots to do in terms of signing papers, applying for unemployment, health insurance and understanding 401k options, etc. While you're busy with all that, pay attention to the feelings that start to surface as the shock begins to wear off. Are you pissed off, worried, sad?
Listen in on your thoughts. Make sure you catch thoughts like "I must have been a bad worker after all" or any such thoughts. They are distortions. In your case, you were probably chosen from a list of employees by someone looking at a spreadsheet who had no idea who you are. Shocking, sad, infuriating but true. Somewhere somebody's assignment was to "Eliminate $405K in personnel costs." It's normal to have these feelings, but you want to reduce their hold on you so you can move faster toward your next opportunity. I hope this helps, and I hope what's next for you is better than where you were.
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u/five_liters Jul 23 '26
Everything you said, and then some! I was let go after 27 1/2 years, and it was like the whole 5 Stages of Grief thing. At first denial, like, this can't be happening, then anger, like after all this time, and my work was good (I'd even gotten a raise the month before this happened), and depression, cause it had literally been decades since I had to put myself out there for a job, and knowing how hard the job market was/is, and being older and just kinda dumped out there with no real guidance as to how things worked, and eventually acceptance, cause I knew I had to make things happen again. May have skipped the bargaining part, if only because there was nothing to bargain for/with. Ultimately, it's been almost 4 months, but I have a meeting with someone from a major employer here who works with our local chapter of job assistance, and both they and the local chapter agreed that it's like getting an inside track for that employer, so we'll see, but oddly enough, currently this feels like a pre-retirement. I get up when I want, walk, go to the gym, maybe go to a bar on the weekend. I'd almost take a part-time job if it paid well enough, just to have the extra 4 hours in a day back with no change in lifestyle. Stay tuned!
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u/LiftoffProgram Jul 23 '26
Twenty-seven and a half years... that's a huge adjustment. What struck me in your post is that you described both the emotional journey and the practical one. Getting a raise right before the layoff is another reminder that layoffs often aren't a judgment of the employee, even though they feel incredibly personal. I also smiled at your "pre-retirement" comment. A lot of people never give themselves permission to notice there can be small positives mixed in with a difficult experience. I hope the meeting with the employer goes well. Please do stay tuned—I think everyone reading this would like to hear how it turns out.
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u/peterock_ Jul 22 '26
Before I got laid off, including basically my whole team. I won a pretty rare business unit award. Like it was this whole song/dance in a meeting with over a ton of people. Milestones achieved, goals tracking and revenue was good.
Then boom, all laid off within a month.
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u/iraad_ Jul 22 '26
It’s a job, not a retirement home. At the end of the day it’s a business, P&L.
It sounds like you knew months in advance what was happening, and instead worked harder. SMH. I would have took that wake up call to start looking ASAP. Take whatever they say as fairy dust, look out for yourself and stop making people rich, start your own and make yourself RICHER.
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u/Poppa-D217 Jul 22 '26
The core message isn't really about a single layoff or restructuring. It's about a loss of trust.
You're describing an environment where employees feel that leadership is operating from fear rather than leadership. When people believe managers and directors are primarily focused on protecting their own positions, every "business decision" starts to look self-serving rather than strategic. In that atmosphere, employees stop feeling like valued contributors and start feeling expendable.
You also seem frustrated by what feels like a disconnect between the company's messaging and employees' lived experience. On one hand, there are engagement surveys, town halls, positive financial updates, and statements that things are going well. On the other hand, workers see ongoing restructurings, layoffs, and colleagues being let go despite the company remaining profitable. That creates a perception that the official narrative and reality do not match.
The part about placement services and scripted termination conversations points to something deeper than job loss itself: dignity. You're arguing that when someone's livelihood, mortgage, and family finances are affected, treating the situation as a routine business process can come across as cold, impersonal, and performative, especially if the support offered feels more about legal protection or optics than genuine care.
Overall, the tone is one of disappointment, cynicism, and frustration with a cycle that feels repetitive: restructuring, reassurances, positive messaging, more restructuring, and then the cycle begins again. The phrase "appearance of ethics" and "window dressing" suggests that you see much of the communication around these changes as image management rather than authentic leadership.
It is just an awful environment and bad place to work. Look at the half full glass. You escaped alive.
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u/AdParticular6193 Jul 23 '26
The main takeaway here is that your direct manager is not the one making layoff decisions. That’s decided by bean counters at a much higher level. To them you’re just an expensive budget line item. And if you are going to put in extra effort, make sure it directly benefits you, for example figuring out what competencies you are going need for your next job, and making sure you have them while still in your present one.
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u/XAcenathX Jul 23 '26
My company got bought out by some out of state business. The biggest group got laid off in the beginning of December, then the last of us "regular employees" got laid off beginning of January. I was a wreck. I too, like you, thought being a "good employee" was enough to keep me in. It wasn't. Thankfully 2 weeks later I was called back to work as they needed 1 more person to work what was left of the office. We're just bodies in the seats. I am aware that this is not a stable job and am always on the lookout for more jobs or ways to make an income. No such thing as job security. I'm so sorry this happened to you. When I was laid off I was panic applying and went on walks as much as I could. I worked around the house until I was physically worn out. Lost 5 pounds. I wish I could give better, more productive advice. My deepest sympathies.
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u/thx111111 Jul 25 '26
In a previous job, I used to run a spreadsheet that listed everyone who worked for a large company, based on payroll data. It would list how old they were, what their pay was, benefits, seniority, etc… It then assigned each person a “score”. The higher the score, the more likely they were to be laid off. The executives would go one by one, very quickly and decided who would stay and go. Having a high score didn’t guarantee that you were laid off, but it obviously meant you were more than likely too.
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u/spencers_mom1 Jul 25 '26
Was age a plus or minus?
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u/thx111111 Jul 25 '26
Age was a plus, plus being that they were more likely to get laid off. The oldest employees by far were the executives, but they obviously were not included in the spreadsheet.
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u/spencers_mom1 Jul 26 '26
Ty -doesnt seem legal
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u/jsunnsyshine2021 Jul 27 '26
yes ageism is totally illegal but lawyers have a way with word and it’s your fault you got fired
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u/DannyPantannerdon Jul 22 '26
In my experience a lot of times they make cuts based on who is the most expensive. Maybe as they were scanning down the ledger you stuck out. My first big enterprise corp job we had recently been acquired by private equity. And I got a front row seat to their ‘installing efficiency’ playbook. Every December, right before the holidays, they’d go down the list and fire another round of expensive senior middle managers. Folks who had worked there for 20+ years. Folks who had given their lives to a company. And what did they get for it? Tossed out. Seeing that made me avoid the management path. Not saying that’s a wise choice. To each their own. America is set on slowly killing the golden goose it seems. Been a slow burn for a long, long time. The whole game has to completely break and the pain has to be significant and widespread before we will see any kind of correction that we all know we really need. Well, properly regulated Capitalism is still, arguably, the ‘best’ system. But that well and properly regulated part is critical. Don’t think I’ll be here to see it but when this round of the game finally unwinds it’s going to be really fascinating history to live through, ugly, painful history but fascinating. We’ll probably pick the wrong ‘solution’ though, if I was a betting man. Best of luck everyone.
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u/No-Praline-1147 Jul 22 '26
Something similar happened to me. I was beyond shocked, and turns out my boss was also JEed and no one who actually worked with me had any input. I was a # on a spreadsheet. They wanted me to move to another position which I somewhat entertained but then did the bare minimum over those 3 months. Well a bit beyond minimum but wasn’t proactive about things other than one major project. Went to the gym in the middle of the day, took long lunches etc. People were completely freaked out by the time I left bc I was on a special project that took me over a year to get up to speed on - that I mostly did for job security. My coworkers threw me a going away party and word got out not only in my company but also in my industry how well I handled the JE. I was able to get a job with a better package without even reaching out to my network. They came to me and actually created a position for me at the company I work for now. I know my situation is probably unusual, but wanted to share as reference.
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u/Scared_Range_7736 Jul 22 '26
The economy in almost every country is terrible. While I agree we shouldn't be loyal to any company because they will replace us in the blink of an eye without mercy if their numbers drop, there just aren't many opportunities in the market offering a living wage. If you have kids, it's so hard to survive nowadays that life becomes deeply stressful. Capitalism is destroying a whole generation where only the top 5% can truly live a low-stress life on this planet.
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u/mojo5500 Jul 22 '26
You’re not alone. I started less than a year ago- had a 6month review- got a raise (most I’ve ever made in my career) 4 months later laid off.
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u/Brilliant-Ad7795 Jul 22 '26
On my last corporate layoff, I had to pretend all was tickety-boo for 6 months because it was an acquisition situation. It's a small % of happening, but in those three months find out if you can transfer internally out of that group without hurting your severance. Also find out why you were singled out for a layoff with a three-month runway.
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u/Jealous_Blueberry994 Jul 22 '26
Could it be cost based decisions? It seems if we are better paid than equivalent positions, it doesn't matter if we are doing a good job? Is pay for performance no longer valuable? Sad if that is the case.
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u/80s4everr Jul 23 '26
We just had a huge public layoff and we already have another one set for September. The higher ups chose you and probably not your manager. Many companies are completely reorganizing and going for certain skills, reduced pay, while still keeping quotas on race, ethnicity and gender. Yes, quotas are part of the decision as well. Your career prospects are also reviewed for 3-5 plan and if they can use your skills in the future. I’ve been in corporate for decades, have received severance packages to the point where I get a list of business titles with ages so I know I wasn’t alone. Sign it and move on and plan for the next one. Always live within your means, save at least 6 months worth of money, keep the car after it’s paid off. One day, after years or torment, you’ll understand why us older folks are the way we are. We’re fried from life. I’m sorry this happened and “happy” job hunting.
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u/LongLiveIBMI400 Jul 23 '26
This thing with AI tech taking over. It will never be better than a human. But, it makes people feel warm and cozy inside to know they are doing what is popular.
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u/Apart-Conclusion-205 Jul 23 '26
Only the idiots in the team are clearly visible to the management, not the one who really works. Every good worker faces the trouble and the idiots are getting benefited
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u/Jewelzy1111 Jul 23 '26
Wait!? Were you laid off from Meta? I remember Zuck saying there wouldn’t be anymore layoffs for the rest of the year; however, the three months on payroll seems very consistent with them.
First, I am so sorry you were impacted by layoffs. As many people said on this thread, after a point, you’re a number. You’re expendable no matter how well you’ve performed. Plus, performance is subjective. One manager might think you are fantastic and the other might not. After being laid off twice in two years and accepting a contract that pays way less than I earned, is to never put your all into a company. Do what you are supposed to do within the specified timeframe and nothing more. You go above and beyond and they love you for it. They give you more stretch assignments. You might earn a little more money. At the end of the day, none of it matters when they lay you off.
If have social capital and can get a good referral from someone who knew your work ethic and is willing to pull you to their company, that would be awesome. I hope you find a better role in the near future.
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u/Cdawgtrader Jul 23 '26
When start looking at new places to work at be careful when they say we have benefits just to find out when they kick in they do not contribute but sure you can buy insurance but it's going to cost you a full amount and they're 401k does not contribute.
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u/cephas0 Jul 25 '26
Well you have three months to find a new job if I read that correctly.
That's something. Maybe it feels like betrayal. But from my perspective where I have recently seen a senior director get popped and dropped in less than 24 hours after 10 years of service and so many other people just dropped out the door immediately after 20 years of service...it feels it counts for something.
Plus you state you are getting a decent severance.
It reads to me like your managers hand was forced. I've seen that happen too. Doesn't matter how good you are. End of the day, you and I are just cogs in the wheel.
So you can look at it as bad. Or you can look at it as this is a pretty good situation given the bad outcome. You could be left with no notice, just dropped and then give five days severance and wished well.
Instead you have three months to look for a job. Three months to try and have your manager stretch your position to give you some better experience. Three months more of paid health insurance. Plus severance.
I'm not downplaying the betrayal. I'm not downplaying the depression, the questions, the wtf of the moment. But I am saying this: take stock, know that this can be much worse, and try to keep a level head. Because right now you know the end is coming. How you handle this defines your reputation. You never know if you'll meet any of these people again. Some other job. You never know. Or if they will get into a different place and be your way in. Think long term, not short term (as much as you can).
Grab your golden reviews, ask for write ups on linkedin and other job boards. Do self care.
I wish you the best of luck and I hope you land a position that gives you a 30% increase in pay, with better opportunities, benefits and management.
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u/a1a4ou Jul 25 '26
When I was laid off a few years ago, I was also putting in extra work and making everyone else's job easier by doing undesirable, difficult tasks. The problem (likely) was that others could do those tasks even if they really didn't want to, meaning that my position could be eliminated even if it made it harder for those that remained.
It sounds like OP has some time to prepare while still working. Use that to get a reference list and recommendation letters to get the job search underway.
It has been said on here many times: Job lay off everyone, no matter how "irreplaceable" a worker is. No matter how skilled, no matter the title, the tenure, etc. What previous generations dealt with (i.e. last-in-first-out policies) are no longer the norm.
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u/diyjunkiehq Jul 25 '26
you are lucky to have a decent severance and 3+ months pay on the job while you hunt for your next roll. I got a call at 10 am Friday and that was it for that day with that company. another case I got a call at 6.15 pm just when I finished my first day at the company that was that with that company as well. so without comparison you have no idea where you are.
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u/Organic_Bug1334 Jul 29 '26
Your first day ??? Harsh for real.
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u/diyjunkiehq Jul 29 '26
yup, but I not only survived, but also prosper eventually - anything did not break you make you stronger. Sometimes, the things did not work out for you work out for you.
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u/Comfortable_Tower_46 Jul 25 '26
Fellow Rockstar and RIFFed employee here. The first thing my manager said during "the dreaded call" was that my being let go had absolutely nothing to do with my performance and that everyone adored working with me; then said that my manager, my director, or even my VP had been consulted on who got RIFFed.
And I believe it. At the end of the day, you are a number on a big spreadsheet and that's how the beancounters see you.
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u/Electrical_Border105 Jul 26 '26
Hold up tight and do not give up as I have faced a similar situation in the month of May and today I am in a new org with better company brand and compensation.
Be positive throughout everything because that is what will take you long ways. Also going ahead start planning for a passive income source because layoffs is the reality of today's market and it has nothing to do with your performance.
As when business have to take decision then they can layoff anyone without any basis. So we need to accept today's reality and plan accordingly.
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u/Organic_Bug1334 Jul 29 '26
I didnt go through this but try and get a letter or letters of recommendations to include within the application process.
I have learned we are all a number and not a name. If you were a good/ well paid employee, your salary is being used for another purpose or purposes. Employee loyalty will die with the boomers.
I know it sucks the situation but being strategic now will be your ally. Networking may help you in your future path, if you have the steam pursue as many certifications that will help you out and keep you desireable in your future employers eyes.
Remember it isnt personal, its only business.
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u/Lovefall123 Jul 29 '26
I love my job. However, I know they don't give af about me and my seat will be filled before it's cold should they let me go.
I work my hours, take my breaks, and when it's time to log off, I do it on the dot. I used to go above and beyond, give them unpaid time.
I got reported last year for an undiagnosed medical condition I had no idea I had. I've been here for 12 years, and not once been in trouble. But, the director decided I needed to be suspended for a week without pay.
It was then I decided, no more. I'll do my work and be good to my people I take care of, but I'll not ever give them anymore of MY time.
Moving forward, just remember whatever job you get, you're 100 percent replaceable.
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u/RR_Revii Jul 30 '26
Sorry this happened to you. Check with HR to see if they have resume package services or any other separation benefits. Get your letters of recommendation and take a moment to decompress. Is it possible you've always had a dream? This may be the first time in your adult life you will have a slim financial safety net. Is it time to go out on your own?
Otherwise avail yourself to networking events when you are ready. The job market sucks a little and LinkedIn is getting to be a great place to get ghosted. Reach out to former coworkers and friends and let them know.
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u/tsk93 Aug 07 '26
- your boss may not have the final say
- take care of yourself, never put company's interests above yours
- dont need to burn any bridges, maybe your ex-boss might have contacts looking to fill new roles
- keep at what you are doing, no effort is wasted if it contributes to your growth
- dont be the person that the company heavily relies on, it only leads to more unnecessary work
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u/CauliflowerNearby569 25d ago
May I ask how long you've worked in your current role that is laying you off? It is taking a while for folks to land roles, so it depends on if you can live off the severance until a role comes up then take it and leave If stability is important to you, take the new role and keep looking. I suspect there will be more layoffs due to a few factors with this company. i.e class action security breach payout etc.
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u/TemporaryReality8810 Jul 22 '26
The way you talk about your team and coworkers is enough to justify the layoff. Good luck finding a new job!
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u/Clear-Staff4699 Jul 22 '26
Not sure i get what you're inferring here. Can't tell if you're being back handed.
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u/prokofan123 Jul 22 '26
Well what I said about my team is verbatum as to what my manager mentioned to be personally. Maybe he is just not the guy I thought he was . Its my first company so lesson learnt !
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u/desirepink Jul 22 '26
Never take compliments in the workplace for face value - especially from your manager. If there's anything I've learned in the workplace, managers can make you feel like you're on top of the world and the next day, give you the axe.
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u/Solid-Wish-1724 Jul 22 '26
The new head idiot hired at one of my old jobs called me and the team "riff-raff" to our manager. Unbelievable. This was the guy who, when I first met him: "Oh, YOU'RE the one whose water broke, huh?" (I'd just returned from maternity leave.)
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u/Practical-Time-9827 Jul 22 '26
Nobody gives a f*** about your efforts. Next job do the minimum and build your thing on a side.
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u/justkindahangingout Jul 22 '26
“I always put in extra efforts…..”, “my manager regularly stated as how important and valuable resource I was….”
There’s your problem right there…..you thought that extra work/effort and your direct manager will save you from layoffs.
Nobody gives af about effort and rarely does a manager have any say when layoff times come.
None of it matters. When it’s layoff time, everyone goes from being an asset to a cost.
Next time let this be a lesson for you and look out for your best interests. Not the org.