So You’ve Been Laid Off…What Now?

Robinhood laid off 23% of its workforce today. Oracle announced layoffs yesterday. Shopify was last week. Who will it be next week?

Unfortunately, as concerns over a looming recession escalate, many companies are taking steps to restructure in preparation for the economic downfall. The result has been increasing layoffs across multiple industries, though primarily concentrated in tech. I’ve seen all sorts of companies affected, from larger companies like Meta beginning to freeze hiring, to smaller tech start-ups laying off significant portions of their workforce. Even Google is introducing a “Simplicity Sprint,” designed to increase productiveness amongst its workforce. My guess? This is just a thinly veiled attempt to warn of layoffs in the coming months.

Getting laid off is heartbreaking. When you have a family relying on you to provide for them, it’s devastating. In my first role in a tech start-up, I witnessed a majority of the People Operations team (which I was a part of) get laid off. Friends, managers, and mentors all found themselves suddenly in search of new roles overnight. Even for those who remain employed, there is a sense of survivor’s guilt, or even fear that you will be next. That’s why layoffs should always be a last resort for leadership, as you can practically guarantee a disruption to company culture and future recruiting efforts.

Nothing I can say can make the pain of being laid off, after perhaps dedicating years of your life to your job and company, go away. So instead, here is…