<This is a quick, caffeine fueled write up I wanted to put out after raging out at LinkedIn this morning>
Layoffs have always been a thing, but lately, they feel relentless (especially in tech). Every week, another round. More "streamlining." More "restructuring." More "we had to make the difficult decision…"
It seems like every time I open LinkedIn, it's flooded with more “open to work” posts. More people trying to put on a brave face, scrambling to find stability, wondering what just happened.
In recent years, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, layoffs have become increasingly prevalent across various industries, with the tech sector being notably impacted. In 2024 alone, 150,000 employees were laid off across more than 525 tech companies.
While the reasons behind these layoffs are multifaceted, the human impact remains profound. For many, professional identity is deeply intertwined with personal identity. Losing a job doesn't just mean a loss of income; it can lead to feelings of isolation, diminished self-worth, and significant stress. Studies have shown that layoffs can lead to elevated stress, anxiety, and a decline in self-esteem due to the stigma of being out of work and losing daily structure.
But here’s what really gets me: we wrap so much of our identity into what we do. We spend years (decades) building a career, a reputation, a body of work. And then, with a single email, it’s gone.
Layoffs aren’t just about losing a paycheck. They hit your confidence. They mess with your mental health. They make you wonder, if you were ever really valued (if your manager was even good enough to show that they valued you in the first place)?
Moreover, our workplaces often serve as primary social hubs. We form friendships, build networks, and create communities. A layoff doesn't just sever professional ties; it disrupts personal connections and support systems.
Even the people left behind feel it. Survivor’s guilt. A heavier workload. The constant 'Am I next?' anxiety.
I don’t have a magic solution. But here’s what I've had to learn over the course of my career (and I'm still trying to get better at it myself).
Your job is not your identity. What you do is not the same as who you are.
If you’ve been laid off, it’s okay to take a breath before jumping into “what’s next.”
If you lead a company, how you handle layoffs (or avoid them) defines your culture more than any mission statement ever will.
Losing a job isn’t just losing a paycheck. It’s losing stability, confidence, routine. It’s that gut-punch feeling of what now? It’s staring at your resume, wondering how to explain something you had no control over. It’s the emotional rollercoaster of going from “valued team member” to “budget reduction” overnight.
So if you’re in it right now, if you’ve been laid off, if you’re job hunting, if you’re staring at your screen wondering what to do next, take a breath, take a moment, try to make the best that you can without having a job weighing you down (easier said than done). You will land on your feet. And in the meantime, take stock of who you actually are, beyond the title, beyond the company.
And if you need an intro, a pep talk, advice, a reference, or just someone to vent to, reach out.
It's crucial to remember that our worth isn't defined by our job titles. Taking time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with oneself can be a powerful step toward healing and growth.
If you're navigating the turbulent waters of layoffs, whether personally affected or supporting others, know that you're not alone.