Dear Friends,
On 2nd April 2026 by morning, few of my friends who are working in Oracle has received email that they have been laid off from the Company.
It was quite shocking for all of them as they are working in good positions in the company for mid-long terms.
Then I deep dived into this aspect.
Like me, you have likely seen the news regarding Oracle.
A massive layoffs has been unleashed.
In a single day, this specter has sent thirty thousand people home especially especially around 12000 from India.
When I viewed merely as a news item on various social media platforms and the information from my friends in the IT industry, one certainly cannot grasp the true severity of this very tough situation of the sacked workers. If you have tried to speak to those who have been affected; only then will you understand the true depth of their situation and plight.
While Job loss is a common occurrence in the IT sector- that too with the advancement of Artificial Intelligence, this is something everyone to well aware of. After all of this, laying off thirty thousand people in a single day remains a profound tragedy, I have happened to know in my life time.
So far they have been enjoying with a handsome salary and led a much comfortable lifestyle.
These are quite common comforts that an IT job that provides to its employees. In no other sector can one ascend the career ladder quite as rapidly as this.
I have observed many of my friends; many who began from the very bottom of society have gone on to scale great heights. I too realised this during the time I spent working in the IT sector earlier.
There are certain distinctions between the layoffs occurring now and those that had taken place place in the past. It is essential to understand these differences.
It is not just Oracle alone; many of the companies currently engaging in layoffs are not operating at a loss. On the contrary, they continue to function with healthy profit margins too.
It is said that Oracle intends to invest heavily in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Consequently, the need for various specific job roles has become not needed for them.
Just imagine if an email that comes by six o'clock in the morning with a message "Thank you for your services." In typical corporate communique, crafted to soften the blow that they convey the message that there is no longer a place for you within the company. That is all. Within a matter of few minutes, your system access has disabled.
These companies do, however, have one redeeming practice: they do not simply cast employees out empty-handed. A severance package—typically comprising a few months' salary has been provided with compensation often adjusted according to the number of years of service.
I understood that the severance allowance worked out as 15 days base salary for each completed year of service per year + annual leave + (ex gratia – additional 15 days per year + 2 months) + 1 month garden leave or in lieu salary + 20k for insurance.
Nevertheless, my friends are facing this job loss in one's late forties presents a unique set of psychological challenges. One is confronted with a huge list of financial obligations- outstanding loans, monthly EMI payments, children's educational expenses and medical costs for his aging parents. It is after all, a phase of life when one stands at the very pinnacle of personal with much of familial responsibilities & obligations.
Apart from the daily routine, the mind struggles to accept this sudden reality of unemployment. Companies like Amazon have already laid off thousands of employees; news of such events continues to pour in continuously with company after company.
What can one really do when a company announces that it is restructuring its organisational framework to meet to the current challenges, advancements and threats with the emerging advancements from within and external atmosphere?
I was speaking with one of my friends yesterday. He shared his personal experiences regarding job loss; indeed, every individual faces their own unique set of challenges with this in a greater way.
It appears that the very concept of "permanent employment" may be ceased to exist after our generation. The times ahead are much quite to be different. The advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the competitive pressure it exerts will continues to grow in a larger way.
There is yet another layer of complexity to these layoffs. The anguish of those who have lost their jobs is much severe; yet, even more agonising is the fear felt by those who have not lost theirs too. How incredibly difficult it is to live with the constant dread that one's own name might appear on the next list of layoffs. With every incoming email notification from the company, only could spike the anxiety and one's heart rate could go up and down for definite reason.
The various challenges confronting today's generation are quite unique. This is not such anything the generations before them have ever known. It is best to refrain from passing judgment on anyone with dismissive remarks such as, "What do you have to worry about? You're earning a six-figure salary!"
It is like that the one falls from the greater heights, the sustained injury would be much severe.
If anyone within your social circle has lost their job, embrace them with quite compassion.
This is not their fault fully.
If you are able to help, then offer your assistance to them in whatever the way that they need;
If you cannot, then at the very least, offer them words of kindness and comfort at their most needed situation.
The well understood point from this is to tighten the practice of simple living and financial security for everyone.
We need to educate and practice on the FIRE concept that is Financial Independence and Retire Early and the practice of investments from Day 1 of the duty would help.
