A Seattle-based data scientist has drawn widespread attention online after resigning from her role in the wake of mass layoffs at her company, citing survivor’s guilt and rejecting a significant salary increase. The employee stepped down voluntarily after approximately 40 per cent of the workforce was laid off as part of a shift towards Artificial Intelligence integration.
Naoko Takeda shared her experience on LinkedIn, explaining that although she was not among those laid off, she still felt deeply affected by the developments. She stated that the layoffs occurred suddenly, with her immediate and related team being dissolved, leaving only herself and a new hire retained.
Takeda said her employer, Block Inc., laid off 40 per cent of its workforce on 26 February, adding that she chose to resign immediately and left the company the following day on 27 February. She explained that a company capable of eliminating nearly half its employees so abruptly did not require a standard notice period from her, describing herself as just another individual contributor who could easily have been part of the layoffs.
She further stated that she became aware of the layoffs within 10 minutes and was subsequently offered a retention package that included a substantial salary increase of around 75 per cent, rising to nearly 90 per cent when including a one-time bonus. Despite this, she declined the offer, stating that witnessing her colleagues being dismissed while her own compensation was significantly increased felt neither honourable nor justified.
Takeda said she experienced a profound sense of dread and survivor’s guilt, adding that the situation felt shameful and dehumanising. She stated that she would have preferred her colleagues to retain their jobs rather than personally benefit from their displacement. She also highlighted her own financial stability, noting that she had no dependents and was in good health, while many of her peers faced family responsibilities, medical expenses, or visa-related uncertainties that could put them at risk of deportation.
She added that she had requested to be included in the layoff list but was denied.
Explaining the rationale provided by the company, Takeda stated that Block Inc. attributed the layoffs to increased productivity driven by Artificial Intelligence. She said that over the past year, AI had been heavily emphasised within the organisation, with employees encouraged to use such tools extensively. She described the situation as dystopian, stating that workers were being compelled to adopt technologies that ultimately contributed to the elimination of their own roles.
The post prompted strong reactions online, with many netizens praising her decision. Several commenters expressed admiration for her stance, describing it as impressive, while others said her actions inspired hope for more empathetic leadership in the future.