AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT FIRST STUDENT

Cincinnati, Ohio-based First Student, a leading provider of school bus transportation to public and private schools, has announced its plans to close its Olympic Hills office in Lake City, Washington, following the loss of contracts with Seattle Public Schools.

The contract loss will affect 111 employees, including 99 bus drivers, 4 technicians, 4 supervisors, 3 dispatchers, and 1 clerk.

According to a company statement, "First Student will permanently discontinue approximately 60% of operations at 8250 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, and 13525 Lake City Way, Seattle, WA 98125 on August 17, 2026. It is anticipated that 111 employees will be laid off at these locations on that date. The entire facility will not be closed. The office located at 13525 Lake City Way, Seattle, WA, will close, and the remaining employees will operate out of the office located at 8250 5th Ave. S: Seattle, WA. This layoff is expected to be permanent. The layoff will not result in the relocation or contracting out of the Company’s operations or the employees’ positions."

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT BLACKROCK

New York City, New York-based BlackRock, a multinational investment and asset management company, has announced another 1% reduction in force, following three previous layoffs over 18 months.

The reduction will impact approximately 200 employees across investment, operations, technology, and private financing roles.

It is believed that the decision was driven by the post-integration of the acquisition of New York City-based HPS Investment Partners.

According to a company spokesperson, “The actions we are taking today are the ordinary discipline of a continuously evolving organization. The company is always reviewing staffing across its businesses to best serve its clients.

Change is constant, and it's coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

Am I Next? You Stayed Loyal. They Eliminated Your Job

Loyalty Is a Currency That Depreciates the Longer You Hold It

There was a time when loyalty was viewed as a two-way contract. Employees dedicated years, sometimes decades, to a company. In return, they expected stability, opportunity, and a measure of appreciation for their commitment.

That world is disappearing.

Today, loyalty behaves more like a currency that steadily loses value the longer you hold it. The moment new leadership arrives, a private equity firm takes an interest, activist investors gain influence, or Wall Street demands higher quarterly returns, years of dedication can be reduced to a line item on a spreadsheet.

The harsh reality is that companies increasingly reward market value over institutional loyalty.

An employee who has spent fifteen years building expertise may discover that a newly hired outsider earns substantially more. A manager who consistently exceeds expectations may find their position eliminated during a restructuring designed to "streamline operations." Entire departments can disappear overnight because a consultant determined that outsourcing will improve the next earnings report.

None of this necessarily reflects poor performance. It reflects changing priorities.

The New Rules Of Employment

Employees often hear phrases like "we're family," "people are our greatest asset," or "we value your commitment." Yet when financial pressures mount, those sentiments frequently collide with shareholder expectations.

Investors rarely ask how many years someone has served. They ask about margins, growth rates, operating costs, and earnings guidance.

New executives are often hired specifically to change direction. They are rewarded for transformation, not preservation. That means longstanding employees can quickly find themselves viewed as costs rather than contributors.

Loyalty Still Matters, But Differently

This does not mean employees should become cynical or disloyal. Professionalism, integrity, and strong relationships remain valuable.

What has changed is where loyalty should be directed.

  • Be loyal to your skills.

  • Be loyal to your reputation.

  • Be loyal to continuous learning.

  • Be loyal to the people who have earned your trust.

  • But never assume that years of service alone provide protection.

Bottom Line

The modern workplace has transformed loyalty from a long-term investment into a rapidly depreciating asset. The organizations that once rewarded tenure now reward flexibility, adaptability, and immediate business results. Employees who understand this reality are better positioned to protect their careers, seize opportunities, and avoid the shock of realizing that decades of dedication are suddenly worth less than the next quarterly earnings report.