I recently experienced a layoff from my position at a tech company, and it left me reflecting on how I would have preferred to be informed. The way I was told felt cold and impersonal, and I found myself wishing for a more straightforward approach. I was laid off because my role could be performed more cheaply elsewhere, yet the company chose to blame it on AI, which I know is not capable of doing my job. I had even explored AI options myself, and it was a waste of time because it simply cannot replicate the nuances of my work. What frustrated me the most was the HR jargon and passive language used during the announcement. It felt like they were trying to soften the blow with empty words, but I would have appreciated honesty instead. I believe it's possible to deliver bad news without being cruel. I was relieved to learn that my layoff had nothing to do with my performance, as I had been doing my job well. However, the whole experience was still incredibly disheartening. I also want to emphasize that I am grateful I wasn't subjected to a performance improvement plan (PIP) or similar tactics. Those methods are unprofessional and would have been far more damaging to my self-esteem than the layoff itself. I truly believe that being direct and honest is the best approach, even when the news is tough to deliver. In hindsight, I think I would have preferred to be informed in a more respectful manner, perhaps receiving the news in a private setting rather than in front of others. I would have appreciated being told before I left for work, rather than being blindsided in the middle of the office. Overall, I just want to move forward and find a new opportunity where I can contribute meaningfully.