It was supposed to be a celebration.
Forty years old. Two decades of loyalty, late nights, missed vacations, sacrificing dreams at the altar of “company first.”
Rohan straightened his tie that morning, a small smile playing on his lips. Maybe they’d surprise him. A cake in the conference room? A few claps, a handshake from the boss? After all, he had given them his best years.
He didn’t notice the silence when he entered.
He didn’t notice how the smiles were a little too tight, how his boss couldn’t meet his eyes.
By lunchtime, Rohan was holding an envelope, not a slice of cake.
His services were no longer required. Effective immediately.
When no one shows up for your birthday. Shot of a young man celebrating his birthday alone at home. Across cities and industries, Rohan’s story is being played out in thousands of offices—quietly, ruthlessly.
Bombay Shaving Company CEO Shantanu Deshpande recently said it out loud:
“Companies are waiting for you to turn 40—not to celebrate, but to cut you loose.”
Why? Because the math doesn’t lie:
- Your salary? A big, fat number on the cost sheet.
- Your experience? A golden phase that’s easily replaced by two younger, cheaper hires.
- Your life stage? Home loans, school fees, aging parents, medical emergencies—and hardly any emergency savings.
- Home Loans — The Price You Pay for Your Dreams
- Children’s Education—A Mountain That Grows Every Year
- Parents’ Healthcare — The Cost of Love and Duty
- Emergency Savings — The Shield You Forgot to Build
And then comes the silent aftershock.
The World Health Organization reports that 40% of laid-off mid-career professionals suffer from severe stress. In countries like India, where middle-aged men often carry the hopes of entire families, the collapse is not just financial—it’s emotional.
But this story doesn’t have to end in tragedy.
If you’re reading this and you’re approaching 40—or you’ve already crossed that invisible threshold—you still have time to change your script.
Here’s how:
1. Upskill Aggressively
- AI isn’t just for coders. Automation isn’t a distant future. It’s here. Now.
- Learn. Unlearn. Relearn. Make yourself too dynamic to become obsolete.
2. Build a Financial Fortress
- Think beyond the next paycheck.
- Your emergency fund should stand tall—at least 12 months’ expenses strong—ready to shield your dreams against any storm.
3. Cultivate an Entrepreneurial Mindset
- When job titles fall, value creation rises.
- Learn to think like a founder: spot problems, build solutions, and create opportunities.
- Your survival will depend on your ability to move without a manager telling you to.
The corporate ladder you were told to climb? It’s disappearing from the middle.
The loyalty you wrapped yourself in like a warm blanket?
It won’t keep you safe when the CFO sharpens his knife.
Rohan’s mistake wasn’t trusting the company. His mistake was trusting only the company.
If you don’t want to be left standing in a silent office, envelope in hand, start writing a new chapter today.
The balloons?
Throw yourself your own celebration—when you no longer depend on anyone else to protect your future.
Have you seen this wave starting to rise in your own industry?
Share your story. Someone out there needs to hear it.
– Makarand Bhatt
The writer of this blog is an experienced International Education & Career Advisor, helping parents to plan and manage the global education of their children. You can share your feedback/reviews or connect with him at makarand.bhatt@yahoo.com or +91 99676 38666.
Well articulated blog Makarand Ji . Absolutely you have spoken truth which is happening in the Indian corporates . Suggestions given from your side are very valuable . Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts