I’ve had a little over 6 months to think and figure out how I felt after I was laid off last September from a job I loved.
Backing up, when I graduated college 6ish years ago I got an entry level job at a company that I was so excited for. It was the worst job I ever had. It was 100% the stereotypical toxic workplace environment, micromanaging boss, team bully, team icky person etc. But I did have my work best friend, and to this day she still is my work bestie; even though we both have moved onto different jobs and only catch up a couple times a year. Our friendship is the reason we made it through that job for so long, and the reason we were mentally able to learn and be successful to develop skills to move onto a new jobs.
I went looking for a new job (the job I was just laid off from) with a lot of work trauma. I got the job, and honestly, that job healed me. The immediate people I worked with healed. My boss actually taught, trained, helped me develop skills, and gain a lot knowledge. I cannot remember one person who I didn’t “trust” at work. I thought it was going to be the company I retired from lol. Joke’s on me. I knew the company was having some issues, but I wouldn’t consider looking elsewhere because of everything they “had done” for me. Then I got laid off. No two weeks notice, no company version of letter of resignation. Just a “hey, see ya” followed by every access being revoked. I bawled. I was heartbroken. What hurt the most is that I hated leaving my team. My boss was so upset and mad with the decision that he has no say in. I found out he and the rest of my team was blindsided. He texted me and reassured me that in no way was this due to my performance.
I was numb for weeks. I wanted to hate my new job. I didn’t want to like anyone for fear of “betraying” the team that showed me how to be a better employee. But it finally hit me, that it is wasn’t fair I do that. I may have lost a job in a very crumby, tasteless way. But I still keep in contact with those who are important to me. Just like my work bestie from the toxic job. I’ve gotten great advice, amazing letters of recommendations, and so much more. Everything was always from them and not the company.
And now that I love my new job, it’s okay that I love it and the people. I’m not “betraying” anyone. Companies will come and go, but those good people…they are what sticks around.