The Loyalty You Gave for 25 Years Won't Show Up at the Funeral
My dad gave 25 years to a company. Zero people came to his funeral. Career loyalty is a bad trade. Build the reputation, relationships, and hireability they can't lay off.
Originally shared on LinkedIn: March 11, 2026, April 7, 2026, April 8, 2026, May 13, 2026, June 13, 2026, July 8, 2026
My dad was laid off after working at a company for more than 25 years. After he died... exactly zero people from that job came his funeral.
Not because they were bad people.
Because work moves on.
And it will move on without you, too.
This isn't a guilt post. It's a reminder.
Your kids will remember:
- The dinners.
- The games.
- The stands. All the moments you were too tired to be present.
(And don't forget proximity doesn't always equal presence.)
You don't get those back. But you can make sure your career stops owning your life.
Please choose carefully.
Signed,
- the 12-year-old daughter who still misses her dad
💾 Save this for when the loyalty you gave for 20 years doesn't show up at the funeral.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Lindsay Mustain's dad?
He was laid off after working at a company for more than 25 years. After he died, exactly zero people from that job came to his funeral. Not because they were bad people. Because work moves on. And it will move on without you, too.
What will your kids actually remember about you?
The dinners. The games. The stands. And all the moments you were too tired to be present. Proximity doesn't always equal presence. You don't get those back. But you can make sure your career stops owning your life.
Why does Lindsay sign this post the 12-year-old daughter who still misses her dad?
Because that's who's writing it. I was 12 when my dad died. I've had decades to think about what his career loyalty bought him and what it cost my family. This post isn't a guilt trip. It's a reminder from the little girl who watched it happen firsthand. Please choose carefully.
