The Ex-Grubhub Talent Network: A Supportive Response to Layoffs
Irvin Thevaranjan faced an unexpected layoff from Grubhub in February 2025, shortly after a positive performance review. His experience was not unique; many tech employees across companies like Amazon and Meta have experienced similar job losses recently.
Inspiration from a Colleague
After his layoff, Thevaranjan created the Ex-Grubhub Talent Network to assist others in finding new job opportunities. He was inspired by Kristen Ubaldi, former chief people officer at Groupon, who had implemented a similar support initiative after layoffs at her company in 2020.
Building Connections and Support
The network features a tracker listing over 326 laid-off employees, sorted by expertise to aid recruiters in finding suitable candidates. Thevaranjan emphasized the importance of the “empathy window,” a brief period during which people are most supportive before they move on.
Former employees have gained jobs through referrals in the network, showcasing its effectiveness in providing both emotional and professional support. The community also includes a Slack workspace where members can share job leads and discuss personal experiences.
Lasting Impact
The project has drawn attention and even attracted former recruiters to improve its outreach to hiring companies. Career coaches involved noted that genuine connections are invaluable, especially during tough transitions, stating that “genuine human connection has never gone stale.”
Ubaldi echoed this sentiment, stressing that organizations should leverage their networks to assist laid-off employees, acknowledging that “it’s not the workers’ fault” when layoffs occur.
The Ex-Grubhub Talent Network continues to thrive, promoting solidarity and career support for those navigating the complexities of job loss in today’s volatile job market.
