For three hardworking years, I worked on the front lines as a product manager, talking with clients and leading my team through countless nights of 996.
I watched the System's new features gradually go live, and hadn't even had a chance to catch my breath.
Then, just before New Year's, I was fired.
Only then did I learn it was company policy.
Every few years, the boss would lay off a batch of longtime employees before the New Year to save on bonuses, keep a few people around to get through the holiday cheaply, then hire another batch of cheap, capable workers afterward.
Fine, fine. If the boss won't let us enjoy a happy New Year, I'll give you a big holiday present too: I'll run your company into the ground.
