A disappointed employee recently shared a troubling experience on the Reddit forum Indian Workplace dedicated to discussions about Indian workplaces. The user described how their company abruptly dismissed several members of its internal team, and what shocked them the most was the order in which employees were let go. According to the account, the first individuals to lose their positions were not underperformers but some of the most dedicated and hardworking staff members in the organisation.
When Dedication Fails to Offer Protection
The employee explained that those who were removed from the company were known for their unwavering commitment. These workers frequently put in additional hours without compensation, stayed available late into the night to address urgent messages, and treated every task with a level of urgency that went far beyond what their job descriptions required. They consistently went above and beyond their salaries in an effort to support the organisation.
Despite their dedication and willingness to sacrifice personal time, none of these qualities helped secure their positions when layoffs began. Their extra effort, constant availability, and loyalty ultimately offered no safeguard when management decided to reduce the workforce.
In contrast, the Reddit user described their own work approach as strictly professional. They said they completed the responsibilities expected of them but never extended their working hours beyond the official shift. Because of this, their manager often criticised them publicly in front of colleagues, portraying them as uncooperative or lacking dedication simply because they refused to remain connected to work around the clock like many of their peers.
Accepting the Possibility of Being Next
The employee admitted that their own position might be eliminated in a later phase of the layoffs. However, they expressed confidence that if that moment arrives, they will leave with their dignity intact rather than feeling regret over sacrificing their personal life for the company.
They also offered advice to others, encouraging workers not to give up their health, family time, or peace of mind for organisations that treat employees as replaceable resources. According to them, individuals should focus on completing their duties during designated work hours, preserve their weekends, and prioritise personal well-being. They emphasized that when companies make decisions based on numbers and budgets, loyalty alone rarely guarantees job security.
Reactions from the Online Community
Members of the online forum quickly joined the discussion and shared their perspectives. One participant thanked the original poster for the reminder, stating that such experiences are common in corporate environments. They added that employees should learn to navigate professional systems in ways that benefit their own careers rather than expecting organisations to reward devotion.
The commenter suggested that if those who worked overtime had used that effort to develop strong professional networks and relationships, those connections might eventually help them secure future opportunities elsewhere.
Another user strongly agreed with the sentiment, explaining that they had spent more than four years at their current company regularly working extremely long days, sometimes stretching to fourteen hours. Despite maintaining solid performance and demonstrating reliability, they were eventually placed on a performance improvement plan. The experience, they said, taught them an important lesson: unconditional loyalty to an employer rarely guarantees respect or job security.