‘I’ve been in your shoes’: Former Netflix employee Omar Sealey offers support as streaming giant cuts off 6% of workforce, laying off roughly 1,000 employees globally
Netflix is letting go of around 1,000 people worldwide, which is about 6% of its global workforce. For a lot of people, this means waking up to huge uncertainty: the end of plans, routines, and maybe security they've known for years.
Not surprisingly, the anxiety and the sting of losing a job can be overwhelming.However, one former Netflix employee, Omar Sealey, isn’t just watching from the sidelines. He’s reaching out, making it clear that life and careers go on, even after bad news like this.
Omar Sealey’s message on LinkedIn: What he said
Sealey’s message on LinkedIn stands out because he’s not another outsider offering empty words. He’s been through the same thing. “I’ve been in your shoes,” he wrote, speaking directly to people who, just days ago, were part of the world’s biggest streaming company.In his post, Sealey wrote, “To everyone impacted by todays layoffs at Netflix, my heart goes out to you,” adding, “As a Netflix alum who has also experienced being laid off, I know firsthand how difficult this moment can be. The uncertainty, emotions, and questions about whats next are real. But I also know this: A layoff doesnt define your talent, your worth, or your future.”“Netflix is home to some of the most talented people Ive ever worked with, and I know incredible opportunities lie ahead for many of youIf theres anything I can do to help, please reach out,” Sealey wrote, “If youre a Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, or Data Scientist, please DM me directly.
Id love to explore opportunities and see if we can find a great fit for you.”
Why is Netflix laying off 1,000 employees?
According to Reuters and the Associated Press, Netflix announced plans on October 14 to cut around 6% of its global workforce, making this its largest round of layoffs since 2022. The company had approximately 16,000 full-time employees at the end of 2025. Of the departments hit hardest, product, technology, legal, and human resources teams are facing some of the deepest cuts.
That means a wave of highly skilled engineers, analysts, and data experts are suddenly back on the hunt for work, often with little warning.But what exactly is behind these layoffs? Netflix is still making money: just this past quarter, the company pulled in $3.4 billion in profit on $12.56 billion in revenue, per AP News. However, as competition is heating up, with rivals like Disney+, YouTube, and even TikTok capturing attention (and dollars), the company is worried about the future.Per Reuters, the co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters told staff the business remains on track, but also stressed a need for “discipline” in how they manage teams. The uncomfortable truth is that, even in wildly successful companies, nobody’s job is ever 100% safe if business priorities shift.
Omar Sealey: Who is he?
For the unversed, Sealey is a Netflix alumnus who, not so long ago, got the same rough news himself. Instead of offering platitudes, he’s telling people what they truly need to hear: losing a job doesn’t erase your talent or potential.
He’s not broadcasting a generic “good luck,” but genuinely trying to clear paths for those who are suddenly at a crossroads. However, his approach also says something bigger: sometimes, the most valuable help comes from inside your own community.It’s important to note that Sealey isn’t promising jobs, but sometimes, what you really need is a foot in the door or a frank conversation with someone who gets it. It’s one thing to scroll through endless job postings; quite another to have a real person vouch for your skills or point you in the right direction.As former Netflix employees take stock and plan their next moves, Sealey’s voice is a reminder: closing one door can open others, especially if you’re willing to reach out and let a community help you find them.