Losing a job is never easy, but one Malaysian’s story about his former boss has sparked discussion online about just how difficult it can be for experienced workers to get back into the workforce.
In a Threads post, a Malaysian shared that his former boss was retrenched despite having around 20 years of working experience and previously earning RM14,000 a month.
He initially thought someone with that much experience would have little trouble landing another job.
Instead, months went by with no offer.
More than 100 applications but still no job
According to the Threads user, his former boss submitted more than 100 job applications over eight months, but none of them worked out.
As the job search dragged on, his savings reportedly began running low.
His monthly commitments included RM2,800 for his house, RM900 for his car, while he also had two children who were still studying.
One night, the former boss called him and admitted that things had become difficult.
I have no choice but to sell the car. My wife has started working as a cashier.”
The Threads user said the situation was particularly striking because his former boss had previously been in a position where he could afford to be selective about jobs.
Now, he was the one hoping for an opportunity.
Eventually found a job, but at a much lower salary
The former boss eventually found employment around nine months after losing his previous job.
However, his new salary was RM8,500, significantly lower than the RM14,000 he had been earning before.
Despite that, the man reportedly took the experience as a lesson about the importance of having enough savings to survive an unexpected loss of income.
I used to think a high salary would last. In the end, it was six months of savings that saved my family.”
The Threads user added that his former boss now keeps the equivalent of six months of salary as emergency savings and avoids touching it.
Other Malaysians say senior workers may face a tougher job market
The post attracted responses from Malaysians who shared similar experiences.
One commenter said workers above 40 may have a harder time finding a new role, particularly if they previously held senior positions or earned higher salaries.
Another suggested that at more senior levels, job opportunities may come more often through professional connections and referrals rather than simply applying through job portals.
A 51-year-old commenter also shared that he recently went through a voluntary separation scheme after working at a Japanese company for 24 years.
Although he managed to secure another job within a month, he said he had to accept a lower salary.
Another commenter said they had been retrenched for about a year while still having two houses and other financial commitments to pay for.
Is six months of emergency savings still enough?
The discussion also turned towards emergency funds.
While the common advice is to keep several months of expenses aside, one commenter argued that six months may no longer feel sufficient given the current cost of living and uncertainty in the job market.
The original poster agreed, saying that having closer to a year’s worth of savings could offer greater peace of mind.
Of course, how much someone can realistically save depends heavily on their income, expenses and family responsibilities.
