Originally posted Nov 2023

Considering the number of layoffs in the tech world in the last few months, those who are left behind are soon going to be met with a sad reminder of the many colleagues they just lost.

Scrolling through a research deck that I created in December 2021, I was struck by the number of excited comments left in my deck by those with inactive user accounts.

When a colleague leaves the business, through layoff or of their own accord, there’s no right way to mourn the loss of that relationship. They’re still alive in my daily work. But they’re not around every day like they used to be.

Through working with people day-in day-out for months or years, you can become very fond of the people you work with, if you’re lucky. That feeling can turn to a sense of loss and sadness once those people aren’t around, especially when there are no plans to replace them, so no opportunity to make new relationships.

So, it left me with a feeling of sadness that I haven’t been able to shake for a few weeks now. The loss of a great coworker feels like a work breakup or a death in some sense. I don't mean to be dramatic, but I think it's okay to feel that way. It's okay to have feelings at work and about work and especially about the people you work with.

So, for all of you who got laid off recently, just know you're gone but not forgotten, friends. 💜