Laid Off: A Content Manager at Tesla

"Whenever you feel demoralized and down, remember that you're still the same badass mf you were before this happened."

In April, Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent a companywide memo to let employees know that there were plans to cut at least 10% of the global workforce.

On May 5, Aveen Naicker was laid off from Tesla along with around 600 other workers. He had been there for a year and a half.

Aveen, 26, was a content manager focused on energy products. While he knew others were being laid off, he didn’t see it coming.

“I honestly thought my role was critical enough. I thought my impact to the company was important enough.”

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What reasoning did they give for laying you off? Did you believe them?

Effort to reduce costs and headcount globally. I believed it, mostly based on the previous wave of other employees being laid off.

How did they handle layoffs?

I found out through an email they sent: "As you know, we recently announced a significant decision that impacts the entire organization, and you directly. As part of our effort to reduce costs and headcount globally, your position has unfortunately been eliminated. Please know this decision was not made lightly, and we are deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication during your time with us."

There's more, but that was the main part. After the initial disbelief and shock, I ran to check my laptop to find that I was already locked out. In the days after that was when I received more emails on separation agreements, instructions to mail back my laptop, etc. And that was that.

Where were you when you found out?

In my bedroom.

Who was the first person you told after getting laid off?

I drove to my parents house and told them in person.

What was the first thing you did after receiving the news?

I called my boss and all my teammates, and as it turns out, they were all finding out at the same time I did. Soon after I went to my parents house and spent the night at their place. I remember my mom giving me a hug and me just crying.

Did they offer severance?

They offered a fair severance for the time I was there. I've been able to extend my benefits for a few months.

What did you do about health insurance?

Temporarily extended through separation agreement.

What was your greatest financial concern with the sudden loss of income?

Fortunately I was at the end of my lease when the layoff hit so I was able to move back with my parents.

Health insurance is the financial concern that bothers me the most. My medication has been a vital part of my health the past few years. While my coverage is temporarily extended, a new role is not guaranteed in the near future.

Say you’re playing lay-off detective. What signs would you be looking out for to predict whether they’re coming?

More frequent manager meetings, changes in work policies (usually attendance-based), budget cuts, higher ups being terminated.

What’s something nice a person can do when their friend or peer gets laid off?

Simply letting a friend know that you are there for them when they need you. Sometimes people may initially feel the need to isolate. But knowing they have support available is comforting.

What’s something you wish people would stop saying after someone gets laid off?

Everything happens for a reason.

Has being laid off changed how you view your relationship to work?

The biggest thing that I've learned from this is that nothing is promised, especially when it comes to job security. Don't just be striving to grow in your company, build yourself up to grow somewhere else.

What advice would you give someone who has just been laid off?

Give yourself time to grieve, and give yourself the grace to grieve. And when you're ready to start again, come up with a simple game plan that's easy to stick to every day. And then just go.

This can be a long road and patience is a virtue. The only way to get through this is by literally taking it a day at a time. And most importantly, whenever you feel demoralized and down, remember that you're still the same badass mf you were before this happened.

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Aveen is looking for content marketing or digital marketing roles (either FT or part time). Drop relevant job opportunities in the comments.