Laid Off on a Monday Morning: My Experience and What I Learned

I was laid off on a Monday morning, just as I was getting ready to work on a team presentation. My old company was going through financial difficulties, but I didn’t expect the news I was about to receive. While I was focused on preparing my part of the presentation, I was suddenly pulled into a meeting. That’s when I heard the dreaded words: 'We need to inform you that you no longer work for us.'

They told me to return my company laptop and said my final paycheck would be paid immediately—as soon as I signed the severance paperwork. I asked if I could buy the laptop, and they said they’d check with the head of technology. So, I signed the paperwork right away, which meant waiving my right to any legal claims. At that moment, all I wanted was to get it over with.

The next day, I got an email from HR. They told me I couldn’t buy the laptop but offered to reimburse me for shipping it back. By Wednesday, I received the money for shipping, but my paycheck was nowhere to be seen. After several back-and-forth emails, I found out they were holding my final paycheck until I returned the laptop—which they never mentioned upfront. It was frustrating to realize that after laying me off, they’d lied and acted like it was all business as usual.

I asked for a recording of the meeting, and sure enough, the recording showed they gave me conflicting information. This whole layoff process mirrored my experience as an employee: confusion, miscommunication, and a lack of transparency. There were many people I loved working with, but after the company changed CEOs, everything went downhill. It used to be an employee-first culture, where everyone felt involved and valued. But slowly, the atmosphere shifted to one that was more money-driven and less genuine—ironically, right before the company ran into "financial trouble."

What I’ve Learned

Looking back, the signs were there. It wasn’t just about the layoff; the company’s culture had been shifting for a while. I didn’t realize how much I had adapted to the changing environment, pushing through because I loved certain parts of my job and the people I worked with. But when the focus became more about numbers and less about people, I should have paid more attention to my instincts.

This experience taught me a few valuable lessons:

1. Trust Your Gut: When things start to feel “off” in a work environment, it’s usually not your imagination. It’s okay to acknowledge when a company’s values no longer align with yours.

2. Know Your Rights: I signed my severance papers quickly, without fully understanding the terms. Next time, I’ll make sure to take the time to review everything carefully and ask more questions upfront.

3. Expect the Unexpected: Job security can be unpredictable, even when you think you’re safe. It’s important to prepare for the unexpected, whether through savings or staying connected to your network.

4. Hold People Accountable: Just because you’re no longer an employee doesn’t mean you shouldn’t demand respect and clarity. Don’t be afraid to follow up and hold companies accountable for what they promise.

You’re Not Alone

Being laid off is a hard pill to swallow, and if you’ve gone through something similar, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel hurt, confused, or even angry. The important thing is to not let the experience define your worth.

There’s a quote I resonate with: “If you don’t talk about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” I can’t be silent about the confusion, the frustration, and the dishonesty I faced. It wasn’t enjoyable, and I won’t pretend it was.

If you’ve experienced something like this, I’d love to hear your story. How did you navigate it? What did you learn? Let’s keep the conversation going—our stories deserve to be told.

Until next time,

SkyeChanel