Nine layoffs taught me that being a "bad fit" means the system is broken, not you.
For fifteen years, I survived nine layoffs as a UX designer in tech. Each time, I was told I wasn't a "good fit." That I was "too direct." That I "didn't understand how things work here."
But here's what I actually did: I identified broken systems. I spoke up when processes failed users. I refused to pretend dysfunction was normal.
The problem wasn't me. The problem was organizations that hire problem-solvers, then eliminate them when systemic issues persist. They use individuals as scapegoats rather than addressing root dysfunction.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
The Book: Bad Fit is a memoir about surviving nine layoffs and learning to recognize workplace dysfunction as a feature, not a bug. It reframes being labeled a "bad fit" as integrity in action.
Writing: Articles and essays about the scapegoat economy, workplace red flags, and what happens when you refuse to stay silent about broken systems.
Newsletter: Biweekly insights drawn from documented workplace experiences across startups, government contractors, and Fortune 100 companies.