iStockAfter just under three months with the company, Karson was called into a video meeting with two senior managers and an HR representative.
A US employee has gone viral for her candid and composed response during the moment she was laid off—earning widespread praise across social media.
Karson Bree, who shared the experience on TikTok, posted a recording from a video call with her former employer in which she was informed her position was being terminated. Although she blurred the faces and withheld the company’s name, Karson explained in the caption that she had been working at a local magazine, describing the job as a complete “s–t show.”
After just under three months with the company, Karson was called into a video meeting with two senior managers and an HR representative. She was told her employment was being terminated “effective immediately.” When she asked for the reason, her manager—whom she referred to only as Lisa—explained that, as her 90-day probation period was ending, they had decided she “wasn’t a great fit.”
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@babyplight
Sharing my layoff video from last year cause why not. 🤷♀️😅 For context: I took a position with a local company known for treating employees poorly and was run by a woman who couldn’t pronounce or spell words like, “Mahjong” despite being the Editor in Chief, and wrote her editor letters via voice note and later edited by an actual editor. I had no training, onboarding (literally set up my own HR documents and everything.), and had to teach myself new software that almost no one but last employees knew how to use. It was a shit show, and this was the first time ever that I was receiving any type of feedback about my work. Enjoy! #layoffs #laidoff #layoff
When Karson asked for more specifics, there was a long pause—nearly 10 seconds—before Lisa pointed to issues like late publications, typos, and concerns about her design work not aligning with the magazine's aesthetic.
Karson calmly asked to respond and gave a detailed account of her experience. She explained that many of the issues cited were beyond her control: she often received content late and lacked access to necessary systems. She said she was consistently met with obstacles and had received minimal feedback throughout her time there.
Karson also criticized the handling of her dismissal, saying, “It was unacceptable to receive a message at 11 p.m. the night before, informing me I was being laid off the next day—and then immediately losing access to everything.”
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After another awkward pause, Karson asked when the decision to let her go was made. A second manager, referred to as Kendall, claimed there was “no specific date,” only that they felt she wasn’t a good fit stylistically and hoped she would find a role more suited to her approach.
Not backing down, Karson pressed for clarification: “Was it a problem with my workflow? Kendall, I’d really like to know if you had any specific issues working with me.” Kendall replied that it was more about stylistic compatibility.
Before the call ended, Karson made one final suggestion.
“If you want to maintain a strong team going forward, your leadership needs to demonstrate the skills required to produce a well-designed magazine,” she said. “Had I been given the right tools and timely materials, I could have delivered better results.”
She concluded by accepting responsibility for minor mistakes—but firmly stated, “The late publications were not my fault. I want to be clear about that.”
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She then addressed her boss Julie directly, saying she hoped she took this feedback to heart, stating that “since starting, my biggest frustration was working with you.”
“I want that to be known because you have not given me the time to express that to you or give you any feedback until this moment,” she said.
Karson was then reminded that this call was “not about Julie,” to which she responded that she understood that, but felt she wouldn’t get a chance in the future to raise her concerns.
She then ended the call by saying. “It has been lovely working with you, Kendall, I cannot say the same for you, Julie. Have a great day.” Since sharing the video to TikTok last week, it has been viewed more than 2.3 million times and has gained more than 4,400 comments.
Many praised the employee for how she handled the situation and her professionalism. “You did such a beautiful job standing up for yourself. Their answers were so vague,” one wrote.
Another person branded her response “epic,” and another said it was “extremely satisfying to watch.”
Karson Bree, who shared the experience on TikTok, posted a recording from a video call with her former employer in which she was informed her position was being terminated. Although she blurred the faces and withheld the company’s name, Karson explained in the caption that she had been working at a local magazine, describing the job as a complete “s–t show.”
After just under three months with the company, Karson was called into a video meeting with two senior managers and an HR representative. She was told her employment was being terminated “effective immediately.” When she asked for the reason, her manager—whom she referred to only as Lisa—explained that, as her 90-day probation period was ending, they had decided she “wasn’t a great fit.”
ALSO READ: 'They can't add 2+2': Trump's controversial claims on Harvard students regarding remedial math
@babyplight
Sharing my layoff video from last year cause why not. 🤷♀️😅 For context: I took a position with a local company known for treating employees poorly and was run by a woman who couldn’t pronounce or spell words like, “Mahjong” despite being the Editor in Chief, and wrote her editor letters via voice note and later edited by an actual editor. I had no training, onboarding (literally set up my own HR documents and everything.), and had to teach myself new software that almost no one but last employees knew how to use. It was a shit show, and this was the first time ever that I was receiving any type of feedback about my work. Enjoy! #layoffs #laidoff #layoff
When Karson asked for more specifics, there was a long pause—nearly 10 seconds—before Lisa pointed to issues like late publications, typos, and concerns about her design work not aligning with the magazine's aesthetic.
Karson calmly asked to respond and gave a detailed account of her experience. She explained that many of the issues cited were beyond her control: she often received content late and lacked access to necessary systems. She said she was consistently met with obstacles and had received minimal feedback throughout her time there.
'I tried to do my job'
“I reached out to you for guidance and often received no response,” she told Lisa. “I tried to do my job to the best of my ability, and quite frankly, you made that very difficult.”Karson also criticized the handling of her dismissal, saying, “It was unacceptable to receive a message at 11 p.m. the night before, informing me I was being laid off the next day—and then immediately losing access to everything.”
ALSO READ: Trump faces awkward moment as his Apple rant gets disturbed by repeated calls on own iPhone. Watch video
After another awkward pause, Karson asked when the decision to let her go was made. A second manager, referred to as Kendall, claimed there was “no specific date,” only that they felt she wasn’t a good fit stylistically and hoped she would find a role more suited to her approach.
Not backing down, Karson pressed for clarification: “Was it a problem with my workflow? Kendall, I’d really like to know if you had any specific issues working with me.” Kendall replied that it was more about stylistic compatibility.
Before the call ended, Karson made one final suggestion.
“If you want to maintain a strong team going forward, your leadership needs to demonstrate the skills required to produce a well-designed magazine,” she said. “Had I been given the right tools and timely materials, I could have delivered better results.”
She concluded by accepting responsibility for minor mistakes—but firmly stated, “The late publications were not my fault. I want to be clear about that.”
ALSO READ: Tom Cruise net worth: How much money does the 'Mission: Impossible' star currently have?
She then addressed her boss Julie directly, saying she hoped she took this feedback to heart, stating that “since starting, my biggest frustration was working with you.”
“I want that to be known because you have not given me the time to express that to you or give you any feedback until this moment,” she said.
Karson was then reminded that this call was “not about Julie,” to which she responded that she understood that, but felt she wouldn’t get a chance in the future to raise her concerns.
She then ended the call by saying. “It has been lovely working with you, Kendall, I cannot say the same for you, Julie. Have a great day.” Since sharing the video to TikTok last week, it has been viewed more than 2.3 million times and has gained more than 4,400 comments.
Many praised the employee for how she handled the situation and her professionalism. “You did such a beautiful job standing up for yourself. Their answers were so vague,” one wrote.
Another person branded her response “epic,” and another said it was “extremely satisfying to watch.”
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