What "pressure"? You mean baseless demands to work for free?
Just tell them to fuck off.
> I also know a lot of people that have been subject to tech layoff but expected to continue maintaining packages long after they have departed from companies.
Just tell them to fuck off.
This is the real world. Growing a spine is not optional. If telling random beggars to shove it is the difficult part, I strongly recommend to work on that before learning yet another cool frontend framework.
And for those that for some reason don’t want to use the exact phrase “fuck off”, let it be known that you can say the moral equivalent of this phrase while being super polite – you still need to be firm though.
"I must respectfully insist on receiving payment for the services rendered. Your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated."
https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/arkell-v-pressdram
If you want more of their flavour, I can recommend Private Eye and Have I Got New For You.