As an increasing number of staff are affected by the layoffs which can be occurring throughout industries, quite a few customers have used TikTookay to share their tales of each being laid off and post-layoff life.
Now, one other consumer went viral and sparked dialogue after sharing their story. In a video with over 379,000 views, TikTookay consumer Kiki (@kikirough) says she was laid off from her job—then contacted by her former CEO to do contract work.
“My CEO reaches out to me, and he says, ‘Hey, I want one thing accomplished that nobody is aware of the way to do,’” Kiki explains. “I used to be like, ‘Sure, these are all of the issues that have to be accomplished, however I’ll lose my unemployment if I do that for you. Can you at the very least give me every week’s pay?’”
In response, the CEO “primarily says, ‘You’re not well worth the week’s pay. You can do it for me hourly.’ He doesn’t care if I lose my unemployment,” she says.
“The solely motive I don’t really feel dangerous about professionally sharing it’s because that is exploitation,” she says. “If he can’t afford to offer me severance—or discover—then I can’t afford to do issues on the expense of myself anymore.”
@kikirough ✨ deal with your workers like human beings ✨ #greenscreen #work #job #QuakerPregrain #greenscreenvideo #fyp ♬ Flowers – Miley Cyrus
In the feedback part, customers had been supportive of Kiki, with many saying that she ought to have charged extra if she was actually wanted for the job.
“Consultation fee is at the very least 3 occasions of an precise worker,” a consumer wrote.
“My new fee is $500 an hour,” one other supplied.
“Oh no. Don’t do it for a weeks pay. Start an LLC and cost him third social gathering contractor charges!” a 3rd detailed. “They completely don’t deserve freebies.”
Others merely suggested Kiki to not take the work, irrespective of whether or not the previous employers pays up.
“DO. NOT. DO. IT! They fired you. Decline, block and transfer on,” a commenter acknowledged. “You don’t owe them in any respect.”
“Should have replied with a meme concerning the penalties of their very own actions. And then by no means replied once more,” a second claimed.
This seems to be the route Kiki took. In a collection of follow-up movies, she claims that she determined to not take the provide no matter whether or not the boss determined to pay out her requested wage.
@kikirough Replying to @ctguy123 ♬ original sound – Kiki
@kikirough Replying to @himbojuice ♬ original sound – Kiki
In these movies, she thanked her followers for his or her help all through this journey. She additionally claims that she acquired a response from her former boss whereas live-streaming, resulting in a number of customers serving to her craft her response.
“I declined the provide, I blocked his e mail, and limits are superb!” she exclaims. “I didn’t worth myself as a lot as this earlier than right this moment. Thank you.”
She additionally reveals that she is at present interviewing for a job that she is worked up about and that her references from her earlier job supported her for standing up for herself.
For all her curious followers, Kiki ultimately posted the e-mail she despatched her former employer.
@kikirough Replying to @priscilachavez51 #greenscreen ♬ Flowers – Miley Cyrus
“After additional consideration, I really feel severely undervalued with this provide,” the e-mail reads. “Bargaining for every week’s pay was insulting and I can’t be undervalued.”
“It’s unlucky there was no foresight for this upcoming want earlier than you laid me off,” the e-mail continues. “I might be discontinuing communication from this level transferring ahead. Good luck with any future endeavors.”
Users on TikTookay remained supportive of Kiki.
“Great response. You being distinctive to no matter report or ability that was nonetheless wanted ought to have saved your job. The foresight remark was excellent!” a second echoed.
We’ve reached out to Kiki by way of Instagram direct message.

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*First Published: Feb 1, 2023, 11:11 am CST
Braden Bjella
Braden Bjella is a tradition author. His work will be present in Mixmag, Electronic Beats, Schön! journal, and extra.