07/23/2025
Sharing an experience from a woman
laid off and finally hired:
Do you think we need to consider how we waste our resources by layoffs of older workers:
Hallelujah—I landed a job!
After a year of being laid off from corporate America—where I spent 14 years with the same company—I’m finally moving forward.
As someone born and raised in Sweden, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on how labor laws differ between Sweden and the U.S., especially regarding layoffs:
Sweden
Labor laws offer far stronger protections, particularly for older, long-tenured employees (that would be me).
Layoffs follow strict “last in, first out” rules, and employers must provide clear justification.
If a company lays off a senior employee and soon after rehires for the same role, it can trigger legal action or union involvement.
USA
The U.S. operates under at-will employment, meaning companies can let someone go for nearly any reason, as long as it’s not explicitly discriminatory.
This creates a gray area where experienced employees—especially older ones—are vulnerable during restructuring, often without explanation or support.
While I accept these legal and cultural differences, what’s harder to accept is the stigma surrounding being laid off (not fired):
It’s harder to land a job after a layoff—even with strong experience, that one strike seems to linger.
The silence from former coworkers and friends hurts. Layoffs aren’t contagious.
The lack of communication and empathy from leadership cuts deep.
I want to believe in the basic goodness of people. But in U.S. corporate culture—where fear, legal uncertainty, and relentless pressure dominate—empathy too often gets buried when it’s needed most.
That reality breaks my heart.
To anyone facing a career transition right now, especially if you are older:
You are not alone. You are not less than. And no matter how hard it feels today, you will find your footing again.
