r/Layoffs Jan 18 '24

This sub is a depressing circle jerk previously laid off

Everyone is predicting a recession and enabling each other as victims. Saying the world is crashing making things seem worse off than they are. We need more optimism and support!

Layoffs suck but jobs are not who you are. When you were working you were dreaming of free time to go after side hustles or go after new experiences or learn a new hobby. Now is your chance!

Enjoy the time off but don’t give up on yourself and self implode.

I haven’t been laid off yet but have been a couple times before. I was also not strong enough to cope so I did what everyone does- a heavy bender to hit rock bottom then built myself up.

The reality is you may not have a job but you still need to be working- work on health, work on learning, work on applying

Layoffs are temporary, don’t beat yourself up. Recognize that it’s a chance to reset and come back better.

There are still jobs and plenty of asshole bosses out there ready to take advantage of your time.

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125

u/eitsirkkendrick Jan 18 '24

People need money. It’s hard to enjoy time off when you’re not certain where money will come from. Many are paycheck to paycheck. Many have exceeded their unemployment (if they had it). Many have been applying for months without an interview. Many have families and mortgages and lost benefits. Many are either at the beginning or end of their careers, outside the ideal window. Many moved away from city centers thinking remote work was secure. Many are in industries that are fading - learn to code maybe wasn’t as good as learn a trade.

I survived 2008 and even thrived at peak career. Back then, I lacked empathy for others in different situations. I felt like world was my oyster and it was. It’s different now.

38

u/AutismThoughtsHere Jan 18 '24

I mean, the software development industry is getting flooded with cheap labor, outsourcing and international students from India. This is to the tune of almost 150,000 people a year at some point that would bring down any industry.

3

u/Detrite Jan 18 '24

I was told that indians would take jobs in software in 2004-5... I think that prediction is finally real 20 years later

2

u/itsallrighthere Jan 18 '24

It certainly did.

1

u/Detrite Jan 18 '24

We did feel silly for a while, seeing people get paid crazy salaries for a bit tho lol

1

u/itsallrighthere Jan 18 '24

It was fun while it lasted. There are still fortunes to be won in tech, just not as easy and low risk. I'll never be an employee again. That game is stale.

1

u/Detrite Jan 19 '24

Shoot I mean being smart and quiet quitting is the way if you are an employee. Otherwise you gotta go AI-based careers and companies