'Slept In Parking Lot, Showered At Factory': Laid-Off Tesla Worker's Heartfelt Tale

After massive job cuts last year, tech companies and startups continue to slash their workforce this year as well. And recently in the tech world, more and more companies have been firing employees without any prior notice. From Google and Meta to X (Twitter) and Microsoft, tech giants have handed the pink slip to many techies in the last few months, citing different reasons. Recently, Elon Musk's Tesla announced the firing of thousands of people. As per reports, over 10 percent of Tesla's workforce (roughly 14,000 employees) was laid off earlier this week.

Tesla Slashed a newly formed marketing team

The company slashed a newly formed marketing team as part of the layoffs, reversing course from a traditional advertising push that Mr Musk greenlighted less than a year ago. Amid this, a Production Supervisor at the company recently shared his layoff story on LinkedIn.

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Nico Murillo's Tesla Layoff Story

Nico Murillo lost his job at the company on April 15th. He recounted that when he opened his laptop at 4:30 am, he discovered that his account had been deactivated. Murillo was among the "more than 10%" of Tesla's employees who were recently laid off, making it a tough year for the Elon Musk-run company. He worked as a production supervisor at the company and drove to his office, only to find out he had been let go when he attempted to badge in. "I sat in my car in disbelief," he said.

He initially brushed it off, thinking it was just another IT issue. However, half an hour later, while on his way to work, he checked his email and received a message stating, "Unfortunately, as a result, your position has been eliminated by this restructuring." His manager mentioned to him, "Everyone got it, we'll get more info later." Upon reaching the office, he found himself unable to badge in, and the security officer confiscated his badge, informing him that he had been laid off.

Showered at the factory, slept in the parking lot

Reflecting on his time at Tesla, Murillo mentioned his tenure from July 22, 2019, to April 15, 2024, totaling about five years. He recalled sacrifices he made, such as sleeping in his car to avoid commuting in 2023, showering at the factory, and sleeping in the parking lot. He described his dedication to the company, stating, "I sacrificed a lot for the company." He acknowledged that losing his job was just a small part of a chapter ending and expressed optimism about his future career prospects. He highlighted his journey within the company, starting from a Production Associate, advancing to Lead Production Associate, and ultimately becoming a Production Supervisor. Murillo emphasized his ability to adapt to the ever-changing environment and accomplish more with fewer resources.

Mr. Murillo also fondly remembered his supervisor, Louie Afusia, who taught him valuable lessons in delegating, following up, and seeing tasks through to completion. Reflecting on their time together, Murillo shared, "He used to tell me: 'Listen to the people, not against them.' I even played semi-pro football with him one spring season. But he taught me a lot about leadership, and I'm glad to have met him in my career at Tesla. He was this huge Samoan guy with a good heart." Sadly, Louie passed away in February 2023, but his impact is lasting.

Wrapping up his post, Murillo wrote, "How you make something last forever is by inspiring the next generation and then the next. Always leave the place better than you found it." He referenced a line from the movie Avengers Endgame, quoting, "Part of the journey is the end."

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Murillo's post has garnered numerous reactions

Since sharing his story, Murillo's post has garnered numerous reactions from internet users. One user offered encouragement, saying, "There's always room for talent, and who knows, it might be a million times better than you can imagine. Stay strong and don't let it get to you." Another commenter commended Murillo's resilience, stating, "Your writing exudes grace and strength...wishing you all the best for your next chapter of the journey." A third individual expressed sympathy for Murillo's situation and praised his growth and development, affirming, "You definitely have so much time to build your career from this point."

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