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Comment by sizzzzlerz | Hacker News Reader

I’ve been working as an EE for 40 years, for 3 companies who worked or work with the US intel community in S.V. and have never been laid off. That’s not to say I haven’t been impacted. All 3 companies experienced layoffs while I was with them and some very good friends and colleagues were let go. Those hurt, often quite badly. They leave you shaken and wondering why them, not you, and am I next. It’s not being actually laid off, but it is the next worst thing.

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I've never been laid off either, but experienced half a dozen or so. Some included the very founders of the business. One person crying, "I love it here. This is my family. You don't even have to pay me, just let me stay. I'll work for free." They didn't let him stay though. :(

This was a hard time: https://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archiv...

> Why Is He Still Smiling? Bill Gross blew through $800 million in 8 months (and he's got nothing to show for it).

I was going to make a very similar point. It's not only the fact of a layoff that impacts those who remain, but it's also how it is done. I think this can change company culture much more negatively than is widely considered as the case.

I want to state how amazing it is that you could have a 40 years career as an engineer in SV while working in only 3 companies (I assume you are in your early 60s).

I'm 36 and the longest I ever stayed in a single job was 4 years.

Some of it is luck but I think my career path choice was a solid one, I am pretty good at what I do and I'm well paid for that, and I've never really cared to go chase those bright shiny jobs that promise a lot but rarely deliver. If I had, maybe I'd be wealthier but, all in all, I satisified with my career.

I not in SV, but an EE working same place for 24 years. Been through 2 rounds of layoffs, stack ranking, etc. Still here. The older I get the less I give a crap. I have zero debt (no mortgage) and 6 figure college savings for 2x kids. I’m really just here for the health insurance and technical challenge. Maybe I’ll get lucky with the next round of layoffs and get a buyout, then start a job-shop or consulting business.

You sound like my alter ego. I'm biding my time, looking for a good point to pull the plug. Like you, health care is my primary reason for staying even though I do like my job. If I was to be let go tomorrow, I don't think I'd really care all that much.

I’m probably in the same line of work as you. Specific skill set (embedded RF/Microwave/Antenna) with a small group of customers. It’s not SV FU money, but still pays very well.

> I have zero debt (no mortgage) and 6 figure college savings for 2x kids

Looks like you've hit the best scenario most people can get in SV, really. Unless they bought their houses years ago.

I have a similar experience- I've been working for nearly 30 years and have not been laid off directly. But many people in my group were laid off over the years

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