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What guille vega is up to these days?
Tom Bagot, RIP
Your clients on July 1st.
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Yes. And as someone who was laid off recently, to all of you who are still employed, it means a lot when a former coworker reaches out. Tell us how much you liked working with us. Tell us you think it sucks we got let go. Send us job leads. We’re just numbers to these agencies, but let’s be more than that to each other.
Pro
I reached out to all the people who got let go at my past agency. I’m helping them with leads. I’m asking them how they are. I told them how much I loved working with them. This feels like the very least I can do. I refuse to act the same cold way corporations do. Be a better human. It’s all I have to say.
People don’t know what to say. No one knows how to acknowledge feelings in the workplace. I learned that after my mom passed. People just gave me sad looks.
I don’t think it’s a black and white ‘out of sight out of mind’ matter. Being laid off and seeing other people being laid off stinks whatever side you’re on. As far as the latter goes, it is sometimes tough to find the right words as you assume the person who did get laid off doesn’t want to hear from anyone from the company. But reading your post and seeing the comments it makes me reconsider and definitely reach out either way. So thank you for that!
Ya it’s more the people I don’t work with on current teams but have likely worked with at other points over the years that I’d want to reach out to.
It’s a shame that people feel that they don’t know what to say, and often feel that they don’t want to associate with a laid-off colleague’s lack of success (it’s kind of a bad look and careful - because you might “catch” what ever bad juju they have). I try to make a point to reach out to people who have been exited, and then follow back up to see how they are doing.
Nobody really cares about you once you’re gone. Unfortunately.
Super true of freelancers for sure. I hate it.
People are dicks
I was let go 3 weeks ago, and so far the only person that reached out was a contractor working with us lol
Yep, that’s because we’re well familiar of what it feels like to be without a job.
No. You’re a memory after the day is done.
Ha!
This industry doesn’t reward loyalty, I’ve seen people get laid off after 5/7 years at the agency, and there wasn’t even a dinner or anything.
Totally, but I found my next job (well before covid, and a few jobs before this one) through help from genuine friends I’d made while working there. So, people are kind - but corporations aren’t. There is no institutional loyalty, just free bagels and ‘company culture’, and I like to keep that in mind. I stay places for my team, or boss, or clients I love. Best lesson I ever learned.
Chief
I was fired, had a subordinate reach out after. It was a good look for him. It happens, no reason there shouldn't be civility around it.
Had a colleague I worked closely with laid off recently. Reached out. No response from her.
I think it just depends. Being 'rejected' never feels good, so there's going to be a broad range of responses, most of them leaning towards anger/hurt.
Survivor guilt is a real thing. Sometimes it can be hard to think of what to say, or you assume the person laid off may resent and not want to hear from you. I don’t believe anyone here saying it’s because you don’t matter anymore.
I agree with your sentiment but unfortunately one VP CD above said exactly that, that after you’re laid off you’re a memory. Good to be reminded we work in an industry with people like that.