What not to say to someone who just got laid off

In today’s workplace, layoffs are no longer rare—they’re a reality many employees have seen up close or have experienced themselves.

On LinkedIn, the posts seem endless, each one paired with the now-familiar “Open to Work” banner. Or even more jarring: a coworker’s Slack avatar is green one minute and grayed out the next—before disappearing altogether.

When a teammate is suddenly let go, the instinct is often to comfort them, respond thoughtfully—say the right thing, offer support, and help them feel less alone. But in the emotional blur that follows a layoff, even well-intentioned comments can land poorly, and certain reactions can unintentionally make the moment harder.

So how do you genuinely show up for a colleague or friend who’s just been laid off—without overstepping, fumbling th