Employee of 20 years gets fired via email, just 2 years before retirement

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Apr 6, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

This Dad dedicated 2 decades of his life to a company that unceremoniously fired him, leaving him without health insurance. 

I can't even imagine the heart break that comes along with losing your job after 20 years at a company. You expect to grow old there, working hard to progress the company goals. You're proud of your work. You watch your teams grow, you might take on a supervisory role, you spend years checking in with the same coworkers day in and day out. 

And then, one day, you get an email that changes your entire life in an instant

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  • HR worker thinks about all the employees she's going to fire via email at her company's request.
    via Getty Images

    HR worker thinks about all the employees she's going to fire via email at her company's request.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • After 20 years and 2 years before retirement, my dad just got laid off via Email

    My dad has worked for Oracle for 20 years, worked for the same boss for 20 years.
    via TattoosAndB**rs
  • Not even a phone call. These companies are evil
    via TattoosAndB**rs
  • What is he supposed to do for the next 2 years? Keep in mind, he has cancer and now he has no health insurance.
    via TattoosAndB**rs

  • I think it's especially demeaning that the company chose to fire such a dedicated worker via email. It seems like this place in particular is going through mass layoffs. But still, it's so much kinder to hop on a Zoom call or have a quick phone call. I wonder if workplaces avoid this because they know employees might break down, get really upset, or even beg for their job back. An email just feels so cold and uncaring. They can't pretend to care about their worker for even a second. 

    And in this case, seeing as this guy's father is dealing with some very serious health issues, a phone call or 5 is probably necessary. He's now got to figure out how he'll care for himself, all while going through strenuous health treatments. 

    This is such a shame, and I send all my sympathies to this person and their father. 

    At least they were in good company: in the comments, other workers shared their layoff statuses, and a bunch gave out helpful advice.

  • Son comforts ailing father who's just been fired from his job of 20 years.
    via Getty Images

    Son comforts ailing father who's just been fired from his job of 20 years. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • InternetMan23 Yeah but COBRA pricing is outrageous. I got the paperwork after my layoff in december and it was $1100 a month to keep my coverage. Luckily I dont have any medical issues, so I just didnt opt in for it as I didnt need it. $1100 a month is cheaper than cancer treatments I assume, but they are required to offer coverage through COBRA, but not required to make it affordable
    via InternetMan23
  • TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply Yup :/
    via TattoosAndB**rs
  • PossibleElectrical13 I was also laid off after almost 5 years, but it was yesterday. My, now former, manager had scheduled a call last Friday for a "quick catch up" where he told me the news. Oracle had transferred me to Canada from the U.S. 6 months ago. Now my family and I are alone and jobless and with immigration uncertainty. At least we had one last call before I was locked out of everything.
    via PossibleElectrical13
  • TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply So f ed up. Sending love
    via TattoosAndB**rs

  • The way that companies will dispose of their near-retirement-age employees is wild

    roamer83 I'm not an Oracle employee, but I lost my job one month ago. They got me about 3 years before I was ready to retire. My deepest sympathy for your dad.
    via roamer83
  • TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply Thank you so much! Any advice?
    via TattoosAndB**rs

  • Never dedicate your free time to company work, because you're always just a number in a spreadsheet in their eyes

    Horror_Response_1991 Another example of "coworkers are not your friends". When the chips are down they will protect themselves.
    via Horror_Response_1991
  • TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply Yup. If he didn't know him for so long I'd say "that's business", but not after 19 years. A stupid text message lol
    via TattoosAndB**rs
  • not-a-co-conspirator His boss might be laid off too. Hence no phone call.
    via not-a-co-conspirator

  • Oh...my...gosh...

    TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply Nope just texted him "Read your email"
    via TattoosAndB**rs

    Here, this person is clarifying that the boss texted their Dad, telling them to check his email, and that's how he discovered he was laid off. Just such an insane way to treat a 20-year-employee. 

  • This must be a very difficult time for everyone involved, my deepest sympathies to all of them

    scrotanimus I was with the company for 17 years and I was just notified by email about my position as well. Best of luck to everybody out there! Go kl it!
    via scrotanimus

    When you and your coworkers have been in the same company for 20, 30, even 35 years, you've formed some strong bonds. You're bound to wonder about their futures, too… Where will everyone go next? Will they be okay? 

  • TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply Best of luck to you! Silver lining is you no longer have to support this evil corporation and have nightly worries of being in the next wave of layoffs. We will all move past this
    via TattoosAndB**rs

  • This is excellent advice!

    Kenju4u this might be a HR over sight, should be brought up or maybe negotiate the package so he is taken care of for the next two years.
    via Kenju4u
  • TattoosAndBeers Original Poster's Reply That's a good tidbit. I'll tell him to ask. Worst they can say is no!
    via TattoosAndB**rs
  • Worker carries out box of fired worker's belongings.
    via Getty Images

    Employee carries out box of fired worker's belongings.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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