Member-only story
How to Spot a Layoff Before It Happens
Key signs to watch for and how to prepare for the worst
Imagine waking up, logging into a Zoom call, and finding out you’ve just lost your job — no warning, no compassion, just a cold, corporate dismissal. Companies like Better.com, Carvana, and Klarna have done it, axing employees in mass layoffs over video calls or even pre-recorded messages. Sounds outrageous? It’s called Zoom firing, and it happened to me.
Most people think it’ll never happen to them — until it does. When I shared my story, one reader hit me with a hard truth: ignoring the warning signs won’t protect you. The question is, will you be ready when it’s your turn?
Don't take it personally if you are let go from your job in the reduction in force (RIF). It’s rarely about performance—it’s all about the company’s bottom line.
My response to this reader was this:
I admit I was caught off guard by this layoff announcement. My company's deceitful messaging had lulled me into believing my position was secure.
When I was recently recruited to start a new team, my teammates and I were assured that our team’s initiative was priority #1 for the company. Enormous changes were made to accommodate our team’s mission, and they invested a lot of money in our…
