Laid Off: On His Birthday
"You got hired for a reason, because you undoubtedly slap at your job. Don't forget how much you slap."
David Sanchez was laid off from his copywriting job at a marketing agency this summer. It was his 26th birthday.
He calls this the “untimeliest of birthdays” — he aged out of his mom’s health insurance while losing his employer-provided one.
“I have medical bills from two surgeries I had in the first half of this year, so it’s a little grim on that front!”
He was on his way to physical therapy when he found out about the layoffs.
“Needless to say, that was my last session.”
Do you have a tip on a recent or looming layoff? Hit reply.
You mentioned uncertainty when it came to health insurance -- have you figured something out since then?
Health insurance is still nonexistent, the untimeliest of birthdays being just as much of a factor as the layoff. I’m just in a “fuck it, we ball” type of space right now, you can go snake-hunting with COBRA but I’m good on that.
What reasoning did they give for laying you off?
Ah yes, the good ole' "Our needs have changed, shifting our priorities, scope this, scope that" type of jargon. I barely remember the conversation, to be fair.
How did they tell you?
Just an impromptu Slack huddle followed by immediate lock-out. Gotta dig it.
Did they offer severance? If yes, what was it?
Severance was roughly a paycheck.
Who was the first person you told after getting laid off?
Just good ole' chisme with my coworker (which disconnected due to being locked out) then a call with my lady.
Did you see it coming?
The previous few months at this company were a masterclass in eggshell-walking, needless to say no one felt particularly safe at all times.
Can you go a bit deeper on the energy leading up to the Slack huddle and how that all went down?
It was a day like any other! I even had a new project assigned to me that morning but not even two hours later, one way ticket to yikes city.
Was this the first time you were laid off?
Unfortunately not! Twice in two years, I'm starting to become a grizzled vet at this.
Did this one feel any different than the first time?
I felt more prepared for this one, having built up some of that “layoff scar tissue.”
Did you share the news publicly afterward?
The public ritual of posting on LinkedIn. The one where you have to be grateful but hopeful, witty because I'm a writer & then smoothly plug your newfound freelance gig.
What was your greatest financial concern with the sudden loss of income?
Immediate needs came to mind, no more physical therapy for my broken/repaired/janky looking finger!
What was the first thing you did after receiving the news?
I got my finger stretched in all sorts of ways in physical therapy, then got a latte. It was a sensational latte.
Has being laid off changed how you view your relationship to work?
I've always been able to juggle "work is work" and "I love to work.” I like having shit to do, we all probably do to varying degrees, so my attitude towards work hasn't changed much.
Say you're playing lay-off detective. What signs would you be looking out for to predict whether layoffs are coming?
My last job had someone whose job on layoff day was to literally grab your bag from your desk while you waited in the front. So, probably that. BUT you'll mostly never know until it's your time.
What advice would you give someone who has just been laid off? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?
It sucks, massively. So just let it be. It's out of your control anyways, but you won't start thinking that way until you've let it soak in for a bit. Then make a plan. Or travel. Or find work immediately. We all deal with it differently, but always make sure you get that latte or smoothie bowl that makes your day. Little pleasures keep you going.
Eat good food. Take a walk. But also rot if you want to. You got hired for a reason, because you undoubtedly slap at your job. Don't forget how much you slap.
What's something nice a person can do when their friend or peer gets laid off?
It can be overwhelming when that inevitable flood of messages comes your way. It's all good-intentioned, but in the immediate moments after, you're not gonna give too many shits. But once you do, you realize you now have a professional network that you didn't have before your layoff, so use it.
What do you wish people would stop saying or doing after someone gets laid off?
"Everything happens for a reason" is so bad in a professional context. Please, don't say it. Most people say they're gonna keep an eye out for roles, and some people do mean it. Most don't. It's fine.
What's something cool you've worked on since the layoff? Share something you're proud of.
I'm currently doing freelance work for a seasoned chef in Denmark whose calling is making the world's best smoked, dry-aged salmon. Needless to say, both him & I are cooking at the moment.
Did you learn anything new about yourself through this experience?
I’m learning about the wonders of carbon steel cookware, the intricacies of growing my own basil, but as for myself, I think I’m up to date. I don't rattle too easily & everything will eventually work out.
David Sanchez is a copywriter in every sense of the word — he’s been at agencies and in-house, but he mostly likes “writing cool shit.” So, if you know of somewhere where he can write cool shit, send him a note.
Were you also laid off on your birthday? Drop your story in the comments.
I was laid off while on the first day of a three week trip to Morocco and Spain. I only found out because a coworker texted me to let me know I should check my email since they were announcing layoffs. I was walking through the ancient city of Meknes with a small group of strangers I met the night before. I'm so glad I wasn't alone.
It is hard to remember when something like this happens, but you're right, I do slap at my job!