In today’s fast-paced corporate world, loyalty to an organisation can feel like a lifelong commitment. For some, it becomes part of their identity, a second family, almost. But what happens when that very foundation is suddenly taken away?
One former Amazon employee, who recently shared his experience on the popular social media platform TeamBlind, opened up about what it felt like to be laid off after 17 years of dedication to the tech giant.
17 years of nonstop work. No breaks. No slow days. All for the family.
— Venkatesh Alla (@venkat_fin9) November 3, 2025
Then, one email. Laid off.
He cried, cooked breakfast with his wife, took his kids to school for the first time, and saw their smiles.
Maybe this is what living means, not the job, but the moments we forget… pic.twitter.com/4F1Pek00j5
“I’ve worked nonstop for 17 years. Never took a break, never slowed down. I told myself I was doing it for my family, even when I was too tired to play with my kids or sit down for dinner.”
These words, posted anonymously by a user on TeamBlind, reveal the deeply ingrained work ethic that many professionals, especially those in high-stakes industries like tech, carry with them.
The former Amazon employee, who had devoted nearly two decades of his life to the company, always believed his sacrifices were for a greater good, the well-being of his family. Yet, regardless of his tireless work, the unexpected layoff hit him harder than he could have imagined.
The emotional toll was immediate. After receiving the dreaded layoff email, the employee shared that he “broke down and cried.” It wasn’t just the job loss that hurt, it was the sudden realisation of how much time he had spent away from what truly mattered in his life.
He described an overwhelming sense of emptiness and shock.
What happened after receiving the mail?
After a few hours of processing the news, he pulled himself together and decided to take control of what little he could, “I helped my wife cook breakfast and took the kids to school for the first time.” It was a simple, everyday act, but one that struck him deeply. “Seeing them smile like that hit me hard. Maybe this is what living is?” he pondered.
The man then reached out to his wife, and went for a quiet coffee date at a local café. As they sat down together, he shared the news of his job loss. His wife, though initially surprised, showed support, reassuring him that they would get through this challenging moment as a family.
Despite her comforting words, the former employee admitted that he couldn’t hold back his emotions. “Then I broke into tears again,” he shared on TeamBlind.
While this employee’s story is uniquely his own, it strikes a broader chord for many in today’s workforce. With layoffs becoming a common part of the corporate landscape, especially in tech companies like Amazon, professionals are constantly forced to create balance between their careers and personal lives.
The hustle culture, once praised and encouraged, can sometimes have devastating consequences, especially when work becomes all-consuming. “Sometimes you don’t realise what you’re missing until it’s right in front of you,” he wrote.
Layoffs in the tech industry
The tech industry has seen a huge number of job cuts in 2025. According to the tracking website Layoffs.fyi, about 112,732 tech workers have lost their jobs across 218 companies this year. It’s one of the biggest rounds of layoffs the industry has ever faced.
These job cuts are mainly happening because of the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and economic uncertainty. Many big companies, including Amazon and Intel, have let go of thousands of employees as they restructure their businesses to focus more on AI and new technologies.
The effects of these layoffs are not just limited to Silicon Valley. They are also being felt by IT service companies in India, consulting firms, logistics businesses, and even manufacturing industries around the world.