They Laid Off My Husband

Summary

When the layoff list went up on the intranet, my name was sitting on the third line.

Devin Shaw. Finance Department. Senior Analyst, Level 4.

The HR director handed over the severance agreement with a smile so bright you’d think she’d just closed a multi-million-dollar escrow.

"Just sign here, Devin. Three months’ severance plus transition. Honestly, the company is being incredibly generous."

I glanced at the total payout. It was less than the pocket money my wife had wired me the previous month.

I signed. I packed. I walked out.

The entire process took exactly seven minutes.