"Inhumane and Disgusting and Disrespectful". Words about the Oracle layoffs.

Believe me, I get it, if you layoff 30k humans with lives and livelihood via an email, you should do it in a better, more humane and more respectful way.

For those impacted - especially for the first time - my heart goes out to you.

A really rough lesson to learn 💓

The reality is, most companies don't care about you as an employee, it is business and the bottom financial line that matters. Not you or your role. Nothing personal, just you are always just a number.

Plus the reality of how things are executed - as with the decision itself- are outwith our control.

I learned this first in 1999, when I started in tech, when a senior leader offered me work as a contractor and encouraged me to look for other clients and contracts, telling me to "never ever ONLY rely on one employer or client".

Yep 27 years ago, I was told that, so colour me not surprised that when as a tech worker I am just a number, that my role (not me!) can be gotten rid of "just like that".

(note my intentional phrasing and language here, it is the role, not you!)

A few years later, I got a text from a co-worker in a big telco, saying their keycard badge has been cancelled coming back from lunch - and they could not enter the office - yep, a layoff. Brutal, but something I learned to expect as part of the course.

Later again, I went through multiple "restructuring exercises" and then two layoff rounds, where I took the hit as a employee. In one case, I started back with said global tech company a few weeks later as a contractor after being laid off.

As I near 54, I am sad that I have seen it all, humans being treated diabolically by businesses.

Sigh, now nothing surprises me at all.

I think:

"I have been your age in tech, but you have never been mine" to myself.

I don't make the rules, but I have lived through the almost 3 decades in the sector.

Which takes no prisoners and the lows - can be lower - than the highs.

Tech is a business. Period.

Your role depends on the bottom line and the fat cats self-interest at the top.Nothing personal or nothing about your ability. Simply the rules of the "tech game".

Been impacted by a layoff?

Take your time to heal and feel those feelings.

Then pick yourself up and learn from the lesson.Remember the wound and the clear message from their action and the experience.

Think about portfolio projects and other ways to protect your interests going forward.

Then move on and never FORGET.

You are SO MUCH MORE 💚 than any job.

x Ro 😘