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Layoffs can be akin to a clean left hook. You don’t see the punch coming, and it leaves you in a state of shock, disbelief, and anxiety. Then you begin dealing with the distressing struggle of getting back on your feet.
Combat sports analogies aside, we have this set of memes to voice out the stinging emotions of getting fired. Some of these images express the resentment of being let go, while others convey the bitterness that often lingers.
If you’ve ever been in the unfortunate situation of losing a job, these funny yet spot-on memes may hit home for you.
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Some people may confuse, or even interchange, getting fired and getting laid off. The former may involve poor performance or policy violations, while the latter is more about company-related factors, such as financial constraints or downsizing.
Mental health clinician Yvonne Castañeda had a more relatable analogy: getting laid off can feel like a breakup.
#5
Otto Nilo 2 days ago
This is a story of my friend. She worked for the company for almost 20 years and got fired by the young boss. The recent boss is a young man who is a fresh graduate. He took over the company after his dad. He fired my friend because he thought my friend is old enough (she is 50) and her salary is quite high. The reason of the boss is that he wanted to do cost efficiency for the company's sake. About 6 months after my friend got fired, the young boss told the HRD manager to find a new employee with same skills like my friend's (skill of 20 years' employee) but with fresh graduate salary. I don't know if I should laugh or cry to hear my friend's story.
“Employers provide you with their reasons—‘We are reorganizing, downsizing, restructuring, making some changes, getting acquired’—but you hear, ‘You just weren’t worth keeping around,’” Castañeda wrote.
Similar to a romantic relationship, you put the time and effort into a job, which ultimately leads to emotional investment. Castañeda says it’s for this reason that a layoff feels extra personal.
Meanwhile, getting fired is oftentimes an avoidable outcome. And whether or not it affects your future career will depend on the circumstances of the termination. As career expert Vicki Salemi explains, having an unfavorable reputation definitely won’t help.
“It’s hard to get a positive reference when you’re not a good employee. People may be honest and tell your prospective employer, ‘Don’t hire this person,’” Salemi said.
As you would when dealing with an abrupt breakup, Castañeda shared the same general advice for dealing with a layoff: give yourself time to be upset and process the emotions, find a support network, and move on when you’re ready.
“It’s healthy to take time to process this experience, and listening to your body will help you realize when it’s time to take control of your future,” she wrote.
As for moving on after getting fired, Salemi shared one crucial tip: get serious about your career and make your termination an exception, not the norm.
“Produce exemplary work with a can-do attitude and be humble. You want to show future employers that you were able to bounce back and excel.”
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#19
Billo66 1 day ago (edited)
I was once trained by the guy they were letting go, neither of us knew. After they fired him it was unbearably awkward for me. He was liked by the other employees, I get that, but I was the enemy. I quit and they hired him back. Problem solved. The whole thing was shady, I don't work for folks like that. The job was mechanic at a large car dealership.
#21
Agfox 1 day ago
We had a guy at one place I worked who resigned & finished up on a Friday then started the same job at his old desk on Monday as a Temp Agency placement. It was a Government organisation & his job required specialised knowledge & experience
#22
TACO Don's Authentic TexMex 1 day ago
Supply closet at a major pharmaceutical manufacturer. I will never, never need highlighters, staplers, pens, and the like for the rest of my days
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What do you think ?
royal crablets 1 day ago
I got fired by a Karen when I was a life guard at a local pool because she thought I wasn't paying enough attention to her special little kid. Like, lady, I'm happy your kid can hold his breath underwater for over twenty minutes but I've got other non-blue people I have to keep safe as well.
Doug Moyer 1 day ago
I've been laid off three times in my career. One time because I did extensive research proving that their sales strategy was not viable - they agreed and decided to completely get out of that market (instead of following my alternate recommendations). This was one year after I was their top sales person (with the nice trip to the Dominican Republic as part of the reward).
Roy 1 day ago
My favorite is my boss going the wrong way and I told him he'd lose millions! He fired me and lost millions so they fired him! I loved the begging for me to come back and be the company savior! I came they didn't keep their promises to me ! I left! They folded within a year! A large multimillion dollar outfit! I love to tell it!
royal crablets 1 day ago
I got fired by a Karen when I was a life guard at a local pool because she thought I wasn't paying enough attention to her special little kid. Like, lady, I'm happy your kid can hold his breath underwater for over twenty minutes but I've got other non-blue people I have to keep safe as well.
Doug Moyer 1 day ago
I've been laid off three times in my career. One time because I did extensive research proving that their sales strategy was not viable - they agreed and decided to completely get out of that market (instead of following my alternate recommendations). This was one year after I was their top sales person (with the nice trip to the Dominican Republic as part of the reward).
Roy 1 day ago
My favorite is my boss going the wrong way and I told him he'd lose millions! He fired me and lost millions so they fired him! I loved the begging for me to come back and be the company savior! I came they didn't keep their promises to me ! I left! They folded within a year! A large multimillion dollar outfit! I love to tell it!
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