How did an employee get clues that layoffs in his company are coming soon? He could sense from his manager's behaviour. 'He just ghosted us'
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Synopsis
An employee's fear materialized during an organizational alignment meeting, resulting in a mass layoff. The affected employees were informed about the termination of their positions due to department restructuring, leaving them feeling discarded. The direct manager's silence and cancellation of meetings added to the distress, leaving the employee to find strength and move forward.
By ET Online
Last Updated:
An employee found his worst fears come true when an organizational alignment update meeting turned into a mass layoff. Taking to the subreddit Layoffs, he shared how unceremoniously he and a bunch of other employees found their jobs terminated, and worse, the boss ghosted them.
The Shocking Call
He described how he joined the virtual meeting alongside three other coworkers, initially expecting a standard briefing. Instead, his manager’s superior appeared on the call, stalling for a few minutes while waiting for another participant. The moment a representative from the Human Resources department joined, it became clear what was about to unfold. The employee instantly realized the meeting’s true purpose, confirming his worst fears.
Department Restructuring and Job Loss
Just a day earlier, the affected employees had received an email stating that their department would be merged with another. This restructuring, they were told, meant their positions no longer existed. For him and a few teammates, the termination was immediate. Others who had separate calls later were informed their employment would extend until the end of December, giving them a slightly longer transition period. This discrepancy left the first group feeling discarded with little consideration.
Silence from Leadership
Adding to the pain was the conduct of their direct manager. Rather than offering guidance or communication, the boss canceled all scheduled team discussions and one-on-one check-ins. When questions were raised about the mysterious meeting invite, he chose not to respond at all. The lack of transparency and abrupt withdrawal felt like abandonment at a time when reassurance was most needed.
"My boss’s silence wasn’t good—he canceled our group meetings and 1:1s, and when we asked him about the meeting, he just ghosted us..." he wrote.
Finding Strength to Move Forward
Despite the disappointment, the employee resolved not to dwell on the setback for long. He planned to take a short break—about a week and a half—to recover emotionally and regain focus. After that, he intended to begin applying for new opportunities with renewed determination, expressing gratitude to others who offered encouragement during this difficult period.
Red Flags That You May Be Handed Pink Slip
Signs that your job may be at risk often appear subtly before termination. A major red flag is when your workload suddenly decreases or important projects are reassigned. If your manager avoids giving you feedback, excludes you from meetings, or becomes unusually distant, it may signal concern about your role. Frequent criticism without constructive guidance, sudden changes in performance evaluations, or being left out of decision-making are warning signs too. Another indicator is when colleagues are told to take over your responsibilities. Recognizing these cues early can help you prepare, improve performance, or plan your next career step.
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The Shocking Call
He described how he joined the virtual meeting alongside three other coworkers, initially expecting a standard briefing. Instead, his manager’s superior appeared on the call, stalling for a few minutes while waiting for another participant. The moment a representative from the Human Resources department joined, it became clear what was about to unfold. The employee instantly realized the meeting’s true purpose, confirming his worst fears.Department Restructuring and Job Loss
Just a day earlier, the affected employees had received an email stating that their department would be merged with another. This restructuring, they were told, meant their positions no longer existed. For him and a few teammates, the termination was immediate. Others who had separate calls later were informed their employment would extend until the end of December, giving them a slightly longer transition period. This discrepancy left the first group feeling discarded with little consideration.Silence from Leadership
Adding to the pain was the conduct of their direct manager. Rather than offering guidance or communication, the boss canceled all scheduled team discussions and one-on-one check-ins. When questions were raised about the mysterious meeting invite, he chose not to respond at all. The lack of transparency and abrupt withdrawal felt like abandonment at a time when reassurance was most needed."My boss’s silence wasn’t good—he canceled our group meetings and 1:1s, and when we asked him about the meeting, he just ghosted us..." he wrote.
Finding Strength to Move Forward
Despite the disappointment, the employee resolved not to dwell on the setback for long. He planned to take a short break—about a week and a half—to recover emotionally and regain focus. After that, he intended to begin applying for new opportunities with renewed determination, expressing gratitude to others who offered encouragement during this difficult period.ADVERTISEMENT
Red Flags That You May Be Handed Pink Slip
Signs that your job may be at risk often appear subtly before termination. A major red flag is when your workload suddenly decreases or important projects are reassigned. If your manager avoids giving you feedback, excludes you from meetings, or becomes unusually distant, it may signal concern about your role. Frequent criticism without constructive guidance, sudden changes in performance evaluations, or being left out of decision-making are warning signs too. Another indicator is when colleagues are told to take over your responsibilities. Recognizing these cues early can help you prepare, improve performance, or plan your next career step.( Originally published on Sep 06, 2025 )
