In this candid blog post, Mert Bulan recounts the shock and sorrow of being laid off on May 4th—a day that forever changed his perspective on work. The narrative takes us through the sequence of events that led to the layoff, from ominous signs like the cancellation of team events and unexpected package alerts to the confusing reassurances from leadership that evaporated when layoffs hit. Despite his hard work, numerous contributions, and even personal sacrifices—including working extra hours on passion projects and collaborating directly with top executives—Mert ultimately felt that he was "just a row in an Excel table." He discusses how modern work has eroded job security and trust, leaving employees disillusioned and caretaking only what is contractually required. Through this personal story, Mert offers valuable insights and practical advice for those who have yet to face similar challenges.

Key Points:

• The Layoff Experience: Mert describes how an unexpected email from the COO announced a company-wide layoff, leading to a hurried farewell call with his team.
• Warning Signs: The cancellation of team events, unexpected IT package notifications, vague mandatory meetings, and a lack of clear leadership vision all served as red flags before the layoff.
• Disregard for Individual Effort: Despite consistently exceeding expectations and contributing significantly—earning praise from senior management—Mert felt disposable, famously noting that to the company, he was "just a row in an Excel table."
• Modern Work Realities: The post reflects on how even high-performing employees are not immune to layoffs, highlighting a broken trust between companies and their employees in today’s work culture.
• Advice for the Future: Mert suggests sticking to contract hours, refraining from overextending yourself with extra initiatives, continuously interviewing, and leveraging external offers for salary growth as strategies to safeguard against future layoffs.
• Job Security Myths: He also dispels the myth of strong job security in Germany, explaining that even under German employment law, layoffs follow a formal social scoring system.

This engaging account serves as both a personal memoir and a practical guide, urging you to prepare for the uncertainties of corporate life by keeping your options open, knowing the warning signs, and valuing your well-being above all else.
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