Techie feels jealous after surviving massive job layoffs; wishes he had what his colleagues got instead

Layoffs can be one of the most challenging experiences in a professional career, not only for those who lose their jobs but also for employees who remain. While the focus is often on coping with increased workloads and uncertainty, there is another complex emotional layer that is rarely discussed: feeling jealous of colleagues who were laid off and received generous severance packages. A recent Reddit post sheds light on this unusual mix of sadness and envy, offering insight into the psychological and strategic challenges faced by employees left behind.

The Layoff Context
The post detailed a company undergoing multiple rounds of restructuring due to slowing business performance. Around 10% of employees were let go in the summer, followed by another 30–40% in October. The Reddit user’s team was hit especially hard, losing about 75% of its members. Only this employee and one colleague remained because their roles were considered critical for ongoing projects.

While the employee acknowledged his continued importance to the company, he also expressed frustration that those who were laid off received substantial severance packages equivalent to roughly a year’s salary for a decade of tenure. The remaining employee faced a heavier workload and uncertainty over future severance benefits if he left the company later.

Seeking Advice and Strategic Options
The Reddit user shared that he eas exploring options such as negotiating a defined handover period with written severance confirmation or requesting a significant raise to secure income while seeking new opportunities.

Responses from other Reddit users offered guidance ranging from beginning a job hunt while maintaining current duties to “quietly quitting” and performing only essential tasks until a redundancy or better opportunity arose. Several contributors emphasized securing severance in writing and leveraging ongoing restructuring to achieve fair outcomes.

One user shared prior experience, noting that openly expressing dissatisfaction and suggesting alternative arrangements sometimes led to improved severance or smoother exits. Others recommended maximizing benefits, including retirement contributions, stock options, and workplace perks, to ensure financial stability during this transitional period.

This Reddit discussion highlights the unique psychological challenges when layoffs impact colleagues. Feelings of sadness, coupled with envy over severance packages, reflect a complex emotional mix.