I was recently laid off and it made me reflect deeply on the nature of employment. It's frustrating because I always felt I was fulfilling my part of the agreement with my employer. I dedicated myself to my role, structured my life around it, and made long-term plans based on that commitment. Yet, when the layoffs happened, it felt like the company pulled the rug out from under me without any consideration for the sacrifices I made. I wasn't left feeling inadequate or like a failure; instead, I was filled with anger and betrayal. It’s the employer who failed to uphold their end of the deal, not me. I believe that the focus should shift from blaming laid-off workers to scrutinizing the companies that make such decisions. They are the ones who can't retain talent or manage their resources effectively. I think it's important for us to have this conversation. We should view layoffs as a reflection of the company's weaknesses rather than a personal failure. It’s time we stop seeing laid-off employees as 'damaged goods' and start holding companies accountable for their actions.