The Day I Left, the Company Fell Apart

A week before the year-end bonuses were due, HR called me into their office. The room felt unusually tense, with the blinds half-closed and papers strewn across the desk. They told me the company wasn't doing well financially and needed to cut costs. I nodded, keeping my expression neutral, even as their words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

At first, they hinted at trimming bonuses across the board. I agreed—it wasn't ideal, but it was fair. Then, the decision shifted. A day later, they informed me the company needed to make deeper cuts. The solution?