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Quick! Grab These Docs Before a Layoff

10% of Blue Origin just got the boot—who’s next? Grab these must-have docs before IT locks you out, see the latest layoff trends, and land your next big role.

Author

Stephanie Sakoda
February 20, 2025

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👋 Welcome, Jobseekers

Another week, another round at the corporate guillotine—except this time, it’s Blue Origin pressing the eject button on 10% of its workforce. If you’ve been caught in the layoff turbulence, don’t panic—pivot. This week’s newsletter is packed with must-know intel: the docs you need to grab now (before IT ghosts you), the latest job market vibes (spoiler: confidence is tanking), and handpicked roles that might just be your next big move. Stay sharp, stay strategic, and let’s turn setbacks into comebacks.

  • ✏️ Exit Exam: Layoff Grade of the Week: Blue Origin’s “Rocketing Reset”

  • 🧑‍✈️ Career CoPilot: Quick! Grab These Docs Before a Layoff

  • 📉 Layoff Report: Blue Origin, Toast Interactive, EFishery, Sophos

  • 📈 Trends & Data: Employee Positive Outlooks Have Dropped to Lowest Levels Since February 2024

  • 🔧 Jobseeker Tools: NotebookLM, Role Plai, Your Cover Letter

Layoff Grade of the Week: Blue Origin’s “Rocketing Reset”

Welcome to our weekly segment where we hand out grades for high-profile layoffs with ruthless candor. This time, we’re examining Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, which just announced it would cut around 10% of its workforce across its space launch business.

1. The Overview

Blue Origin, renowned for its ambitious push toward space tourism and orbital launches, has decided to shed about 10% of its workforce. The official rationale? Streamlining operations and refocusing resources on “core mission priorities.” Insiders suggest increased operational costs and competitive pressure from SpaceX may also have played a role.

Our Take: While strategic realignments happen in the aerospace world, it’s tough to ignore the potential whiplash for employees who believed they were part of a long-term vision to colonize the stars. When a futuristic dream is suddenly cut down to size, it raises questions: is this truly about optimizing rocket science, or trimming costs at the expense of morale?

2. The Rubric

Criteria

Score (out of 5)

Comments

Transparency

2/5

The company statement mentioned “core mission” but lacked specifics on which roles or why.

Fairness

3/5

10% across the board feels evenly distributed, but uniform cuts can overlook unique needs.

Accountability

2/5

Leadership cited market pressures but gave minimal insight into internal planning missteps.

Impact on Morale

2/5

Employees are reeling: many joined for long-term innovation, not a sudden corporate pivot.

Strategic Alignment

3/5

Refocusing on flagship projects is logical, but a broad layoff might slow future innovation.

Overall Grade: C– (2.4/5)

3. How This Impacts Jobseekers

  • Aerospace Skills in High Demand
    Despite the turbulence at Blue Origin, specialized aerospace competencies—such as systems engineering, propulsion, and avionics—remain incredibly sought after. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your technical expertise is readily transferable to other space or defense programs.

  • Shifting Career Trajectories
    Some employees joined Blue Origin expecting a long-term ‘moonshot’ endeavor. If you’re now recalibrating, consider how your experience working on cutting-edge projects can pivot into adjacent fields like advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles, or data analytics.

  • Networking Becomes Your Launchpad
    Layoffs often create supportive networks among former colleagues. Harness those connections to find openings at rival space firms or emerging startups in the aerospace ecosystem. Opportunities also exist in government agencies or with established primes seeking fresh talent.

  • Emphasize Innovation
    Employers across industries value professionals who’ve contributed to ambitious missions. Highlight any roles you played in creative problem-solving or rigorous testing cycles. Innovation is not restricted to rockets; employers see it as a mindset that drives growth anywhere.

4. Final Verdict

Blue Origin’s layoff might be a measured response to cost pressures and the realities of a fiercely competitive launch market. But the abrupt shift is undoubtedly jarring for employees who pinned their hopes on a long-range cosmic vision. The lack of clear, detailed communication about who’s affected and why dings the company’s transparency score.

For those on the job hunt, know this: your specialized skills are still rocket fuel in an industry hungry for top-tier talent. For now, Blue Origin’s layoff just squeaks by with a C–, reminding us that even space pioneers need to communicate earthly decisions with more precision.

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📄 ⚡️ Quick! Grab These Docs Before a Layoff

Being laid off in tech can happen fast, leaving you with just minutes before losing access to platforms like Okta. This guide helps you act quickly to gather essential documents that protect your rights and boost your job search. If you’re still employed but worried about layoffs, we’ll also cover what to collect ahead of time. Our focus is on empowering you, the job seeker, while keeping everything legally sound.

Documents to Grab Immediately After a Layoff

When time is tight, prioritize these documents:

  • Employment Contract and Offer Letter: Details your job terms, salary, benefits, and any non-compete clauses—key for understanding your rights.
    How: Download or screenshot from your HR portal right away.

  • Recent Pay Stubs: Prove your income for taxes, loans, or unemployment benefits.
    How: Access payroll and save your last few stubs.

  • Performance Reviews: Positive feedback strengthens job applications and can counter layoff disputes.
    How: Download digital copies if available.

  • Contact Information: Colleagues and supervisors are vital for references and networking.
    How: Jot down emails or LinkedIn profiles fast.

Documents to Collect Before a Potential Layoff

If you’re still employed but sense layoffs coming, gather these discreetly:

  • Employee Handbook: Outlines layoff, severance, and benefits policies.
    How: Save a digital copy quietly.

  • Work Samples (if permitted): Showcase your skills for future interviews or gigs.
    How: Compile non-proprietary examples carefully.

  • Training and Certification Records: Boost your resume with proof of professional growth.
    How: Document completed courses or certs.

  • Benefits Information: Know your health insurance and other perks post-layoff.
    How: Save details on coverage options.

What’s Legal to Take

  • Your Rights: You can keep personal employment records like contracts, pay stubs, and reviews. Taking company secrets (e.g., client data, code) is illegal and off-limits.

  • Digital Access: Platforms like Okta often lock you out fast. If still employed, save key docs to a personal device beforehand—but only what’s yours and allowed.

  • Watch Out: Check your contract or handbook for restrictions. Data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) also apply—don’t take sensitive info.

Lost Access Already?

  • Next Steps: Email HR for copies of contracts, stubs, or benefits info—they often have to provide these. If you need more (e.g., for a dispute), talk to an employment lawyer.

  • Disclaimer: Not legal advice—just a starting point. Laws differ by place and case, so get expert help if needed.

Source: TrueUp

Employee Positive Outlooks Have Dropped to Lowest Levels Since February 2024

Overview

Glassdoor’s latest Employee Confidence Index (ECI) for January 2025 is out, and Employee confidence took a dip, hitting the lowest level in nearly a year and setting a challenging tone for tech pros and beyond.

The Details

  • The share of employees reporting a positive 6-month business outlook fell to 45.1% in January 2025, the lowest level since February 2024.

  • Layoff mentions in Glassdoor reviews spiked by 5% month-over-month, fueling concerns about job security. Inflation and recession chatter also climbed 9% and 29%, respectively, suggesting employees haven’t shaken off last year’s economic worries.

  • Government & Public Administration saw the steepest confidence drop (-2.8 percentage points), mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding the new presidential administration.

  • Tech isn’t immune to uncertainty, but Information Technology clocked in at 53.7%, modestly up from December. Mid-level staffers felt the biggest pinch in confidence (-1.5 percentage points) compared to entry and senior levels.

Why It Matters

In a shifting economy, persistent layoff rumors can rattle even high-growth industries like tech. For jobseekers—particularly mid-level professionals eyeing opportunities—knowing how broader sentiment is trending helps you anticipate workplace changes and prepare accordingly. Keep an eye on sectors (such as IT) that show resilience despite the headwinds, and double-down on skills that align with in-demand roles. Proactive networking, regular résumé refreshes, and upskilling can turn low-confidence vibes into a personal growth strategy. By staying informed and adaptable, you can navigate the unpredictable tides of 2025’s job market with a bit more calm and control.

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Tech Job Roundup

Here’s some roles we’ve hand-picked for you this week: 

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