Track your layoff journey and support others

I've been working as a software developer for about three years now, and I recently hit a wall. A few months ago, I was transferred to a new team due to staffing needs, and it wasn't my choice. This new environment has been incredibly challenging. I'm stuck dealing with a complicated legacy project and facing poor development conditions, including insufficient hardware and relentless pressure from other teams. What should be simple tasks often balloon into major projects, and despite my efforts to report the technical issues slowing us down, nothing seems to change. Management just keeps pushing us to work harder, which feels incredibly frustrating. The culture here is toxic, with an unhealthy expectation of overtime. I used to regularly work unpaid extra hours during the week, but I’ve been trying to set boundaries. Unfortunately, late-night deployments are still a norm, sometimes dragging on until 3 or 4 AM because our work is dependent on other teams. Even after all the unpaid hours, we’re still expected to work weekends to meet deadlines that often feel unrealistic. The requirements keep changing, and tasks are frequently revised, which adds to the chaos. Instead of addressing these planning issues, the solution always seems to be to ask us to put in more hours. What’s even more disheartening is the way pressure is applied. Colleagues have made me feel guilty for not working unpaid overtime, suggesting that I’m not pulling my weight. It feels like I’m being publicly shamed for wanting to maintain my free time and set basic boundaries. At one point, the stress became so overwhelming that I would wake up feeling nauseous just at the thought of work. Now, I find myself completely unmotivated. I only do what I’m explicitly asked to do, and sometimes I’d rather just stare at a wall than engage with my work. The thought of being unemployed has even started to feel comforting, which is alarming. I’ve begun to question if all those years spent studying engineering and building a career in software were worth it. Finding another job seems daunting, especially with the current economic climate and ongoing tech layoffs. At this point, I’m not even interested in promotions or career growth; I just want a stable job where I can finish my hours and enjoy my life. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Did changing jobs help you, or should I consider leaving software development altogether? I would really appreciate any honest advice.

I recently filed a formal HR complaint regarding promotion and management concerns at my tech company in California, where I've been a Software Engineer for about two years. My performance has consistently been rated positively, and I've been recognized as a top performer. However, when I requested a promotion earlier this year, my manager cited soft skills issues without providing specific examples or measurable expectations. After months of discussions, I was told that the promotion timeline had passed, despite colleagues at the same level receiving promotions. Additionally, I attempted to transfer to another team, but my manager discouraged this, implying I could face layoffs if I pursued it. A senior leader later indicated that my manager shouldn't have blocked the transfer, raising further concerns about management practices. After a lengthy and unsatisfactory resolution process, I decided to escalate the issue by submitting a formal complaint to HR, focusing on the fairness and transparency of promotion decisions and management interference in career development. Now, I'm worried about potential retaliation since I've not been placed on a PIP or terminated yet. I’m also on an H-1B visa, which adds urgency to my situation as any sudden termination could have serious immigration implications. I'm contemplating whether I should consult an employment attorney now or wait until something adverse happens. I have several questions about my rights and the implications of my HR complaint, and I'm seeking advice from those familiar with California employment law or similar experiences.

I had a job interview scheduled today at a makeup store where I've worked before, but not at this location. I applied just a couple of days ago and followed up with a phone call, which led to an interview invitation for 2:15 PM today. The issue is that I completely forgot the name of the person I spoke to, and I didn’t write it down. I was wondering if I should call the store in the morning to ask for her name or just show up and ask for whoever is conducting interviews. I'm feeling a bit anxious about it, especially since I have ADD and I smoked this evening, which probably didn't help my memory. I just want to make sure I approach the right person when I get there.

I'm currently working as a consultant at a firm, and I've been informed that I need to resign because a client has withdrawn their position. This situation has left me feeling uncertain about my next steps. I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation. Should I negotiate with my employer, seek another project, or start looking for a new job altogether? Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I’m feeling really demotivated at my job due to being underpaid. I work for a company that consistently offers me minimal salary increases, and despite my efforts to negotiate a raise, they’ve refused. I even tried to resign, but they won’t accept my decision to leave. This situation has led me to a point where I genuinely dislike my employer. I’ve started to act out at work, showing up late, missing deadlines, and not putting in the effort I used to. I feel like I’m just spinning my wheels for a company that doesn’t appreciate my contributions or compensate me fairly. I’m actively looking for a way to escape this job.

I just heard about more layoffs at Wells Fargo. It's concerning to see the ongoing job cuts at such a major financial institution. I’m keeping an eye on the situation as I work in the banking sector and want to stay informed about how these changes might affect my role or opportunities in the industry.

I just went through my second layoff in 13 months, and I’m feeling completely mentally exhausted. Both of the jobs I had were fantastic, 10/10 experiences, which makes this even harder to process. I really don’t have anywhere else to express how I feel, so here I am. It’s tough to keep bouncing back like this.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my job. After a month of working as a [specific role] at [company name], I received an email from my employer asking me to resign because the client said my position was no longer available. This news hit me hard, especially since I had left my previous job and fulfilled my notice period to join this company. I feel completely blindsided and it's taking a toll on my mental health. I haven't resigned yet; instead, I've replied to the email asking for clarification and documentation regarding what went wrong. I'm trying to understand my options and what steps I should take next. I've seen some advice suggesting that I shouldn't resign, as it might be better for me to wait for them to lay me off to qualify for unemployment benefits. I’m feeling lost and could really use some guidance on how to navigate this situation. Should I consult with a lawyer or an employment attorney? What are my rights in this scenario? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently had an exciting experience after uploading my resume to the talent pool of a huge company I've always dreamed of working for. To my surprise, they reached out to me about a position that requires over 3 years of experience, even though I have less than a year in the field. I was initially hesitant to apply because I felt underqualified. Within a week of being contacted, I passed their assessment and had a 50-minute interview. During the interview, they mentioned that they thought I would be a good fit based on my resume and complimented my assessment results and language skills. However, they also pointed out that my job experience is limited compared to other candidates, and I felt I lacked confidence during the interview. I'm aware that I don't have direct experience in several areas of the job, which makes me anxious about competing with more seasoned applicants. I'm left wondering if being contacted directly through the talent pool gives me a better chance than a regular applicant, or if I'm just reading too much into it. This opportunity means a lot to me, and I'm worried that if I don't get it, I might not have another chance like this.

I recently certified for my unemployment benefits for the last two weeks using Michigan's new system, but I was informed that my certification for the week of 10/31 was considered late. I completely forgot about the switch to the new weekly system, and this is the first time I've ever missed a certification during the biweekly requirement. After filling out a questionnaire explaining my situation, I was still denied benefits. I'm feeling frustrated and confused about what to do next. Does anyone have advice on who I can contact to appeal this decision? It feels like such a mess.