One of the most beautiful characteristics about America is the ability we have to fall, dust ourselves off and try again. Layoffs or firings may seem unsurmountable at first, but we’ve seen over and over again how getting laid off can often be the first step towards a significantly more fulfilling future. We’ve shared some incredible stories below.
Jori Halpern
Being fired or laid off is never a good feeling, but I am very thankful for the times this has happened in my life. The first time I was fired, was from what I thought at the time was my dream job. At the time I felt helpless, I didn’t really know what my passion was. As someone who was always a worker, I began to question the value of my existence outside of working. Read more>>
Candy Meynarez
This one was tough for me. I had never been laid off in my life. Back then I was working as a pharmaceutical rep and they were doing heavy layoffs every year for a little while now. When my boss mentioned that they were doing layoffs based on numbers, I knew I was next and here’s why…. My territory was a very heavy Medicaid area and I was selling branded products that that these poor old folks could simply not afford. Since I had a feeling it was coming, I mentally prepared myself for it. Read more>>
Nikki Bretz
21 years – down the drain. Let me set the scene – a random Thursday morning in the beginning of October I received an invite in my email for a meeting with HR – my husband was home sick from work that day and I told him – I have a feeling I am getting let go – 30 minutes later I was a sobbing heap on the floor. It happened – my position was eliminated. I cried, boy did I cry. After 21 years with a company, doing the same job, I was no longer employed. No longer had steady income coming in, no longer had health insurance. Read more>>
Beth Lawrence
I was laid off on November 8, 2017 from my dream job, which I had held for two years. It was a whirlwind of an experience, and one of the most fun and creative roles I had held in my career up to that point. I remember the day like it was yesterday: it was a Wednesday, and I had my regularly scheduled 1:1 with my boss scheduled for noon. When I entered the call, our department head said ‘hello’ after my manager, and my heart sank. Read more>>
Kirstin Protsman
I felt shocked as I walked out of my new boss’ office. Well… former boss. I had just been fired and wasn’t expecting it. As a new but quick designer, I was good at my job and couldn’t understand in that moment why I was the one they chose to fire. Quickly, I left the office without making eye contact with anybody. I knew as soon as I did I would burst into tears. I was still feeling shocked, it was difficult to process what had just happened before. I felt embarrassed, I had never been fired before! I’m good at my job! This isn’t fair! Read more>>
