"Some folks aspire to the minimum amount of work and the maximum amount of pay. And they are shocked when they get laid off after a decade of that, that nobody wants to hire them."

Wholeheartedly agree. However don't forget those who worked hard but were just got stuck doing something that was ONLY relevant in that organization. Once laid off, they belatedly find out their 'skill' isn't a skill outside of the organization.

Hence I believe you should be extra vigilant about stagnating skill set when working at a company for more than just a few years. A lesson I'm learning now.