Ask HN: How to deal with morale after layoffs?

Some things to think about:

1) You still have a job

2) The company is still in business

3) Just because there was a round of layoffs doesn’t mean there will be more

4) But of course there may

5) But that is always the case, your job is never totally secure

6) If you do not already have a backup plan in place, thank the stars for the headsup to get started on that

7) A plan is a good antidote for anxiety, and in this case may consist of: savings, ability to lower expenses if needed, building and maintaining a professional network, being interview ready

8) Making a decision is another good antidote for anxiety. Decide to stay or decide to leave. If you stay and get laid off, use your plan.

I’m not sure I agree with the suggestion to quit and find another job simply because your company had layoffs. There is no guarantee the new place won’t have layoffs too.

If you don’t already have a network, you have a perfect opportunity to start one here by reaching out to keep in touch with some of the laid off folks.

Is the startup profitable? Honestly I don't think the real pain has even begun yet for unprofitable startups... From what I've seen many of them are running on borrowed time from investment rounds that happened in 2020-2021. There's likely going to be very little interest in funding pandemic era unprofitable SaaS company in 2024. Money isn't cheap anymore and those that have money to invest are looking more towards the hot AI startups.

As someone who has worked for startups in the past you should assume your job will be at risk very soon unless the company is profitable. Even in good times jobs at startups are risky. I'm not saying this to be a dick, but because you should be preparing now and being productive about the situation is all you can do to reduce anxious.

Refresh your profile. Reconnect with ex-colleagues. Start thinking about your skill set and what you can be learning to help you when you're next looking for work. Your finances in order... Really the only thing that's reducing my job anxiety right now was that I saw this coming in early 2022 and have been in hardcore savings mode for about two years so at a minimum I'm as well prepared as I can be for what ever is coming my way over the next couple of years.

In terms of having to say goodbye to colleagues and friends and work, it sucks, but the good news is these days it's easier than ever to stay in touch with social media. I have a old colleagues I reach out to every year or so just to say hi and ask how things are going.