My Layoff History by Mark Stone

July 2023. Last week I posted about getting laid off in June. This week I'm sharing the history of my relationship with layoffs. The unifying theme in all of this is to show grace in the face of hardship, never express blame for yourself or anyone else, and remember that a bridge burned serves no one.

1989
Them: "We are declining to renew your contract for next year."
Me to them: "I understand."
I hadn't actually asked for a renewal, and already have my next gig lined up.

1994
Them: "Our startup is in the cross-hairs of a large established player. We're cutting back and hoping to weather the storm."
Me to them: "I understand."
Me to myself: They aren't going to make it (they didn't). Better to move on now (I landed a new position within three months, a promotion within that company within six months after that).

2004
Me, returning from vacation: "That's weird. I can't access my company voicemail or email."
Them: "Yeah, about that...."
That one was hard. I should have seen it coming, but didn't, and it took me 10 months to land my next position.

2006
Them: "Funding has run dry, you aren't going to get the back pay we owe you, and we're filing for bankruptcy."
Me: "I understand. I hope that our partners can sustain some of what we've built" (they did; check out eol.org). I saw this one coming, but still didn't have a Plan B ready (it took me five months to land my next position).

2008
Them: "Our parent company is cutting the funding on the initiative you're working on. We're going to have to let you go."
Me: "That's okay, I'm --"
Them: "Of course, if you tell us you have something else lined up, we can't offer you this severance package."
Me: "--"
I did see this one coming, and I did have a Plan B ready.

2010
Them: "Our budget has been adjusted, and that 18 month contract we just signed with you is being cut to 3 months."
Me: "I'll give you my best 3 months."
It took me 6 months to find a next gig.

2012
Them: "We've decided not to renew your contract."
Me: "I understand."
I wasn't looking for a contract renewal; it was a pretty awful relationship the last three months, and I had a new position with a new company lined up.

Also 2012
Them: "With the new VP, we aren't doing agile anymore. Your position is being eliminated."
Me "I understand" (I didn't). But I saw it coming since I had basically trained my replacement, I just hadn't found anything yet. This one was also hard. It took me 7 months to find a next position.

2023:
So here we are. I saw this current layoff as a strong possibility. I have nothing but respect for the great people I've worked with and the hard ambition they pursue. While I don't have a next opportunity lined up yet, I have been able to plan financially to give myself some time.

Some lessons: Be humble. Be forgiving. Respect yourself, and don't see any of this as a negative reflection on you. Be determined; be patient.

Add / view comments.