I was part of a team of 80 employees at Bluevine, and we experienced a shocking layoff during a brief five-minute Google Meet call. It felt surreal to be informed of our termination in such a short time frame. The abruptness of the situation left many of us in disbelief, especially considering the effort and dedication we put into our roles. It's disheartening to see how companies handle layoffs, often prioritizing efficiency over empathy. This experience has made me reflect on the importance of fair compensation and the need for companies to value their talent, regardless of location.