More and more people in their 40s are losing their jobs, and it’s becoming a serious concern in the corporate world. Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of grooming brand Bombay Shaving Company, spoke about this growing problem, calling it a “deeply concerning” issue that’s happening all over the world.

In a candid post on Instagram, Deshpande explained how individuals in this age group—often holding senior positions and earning high salaries—are increasingly becoming the first to be let go when companies tighten budgets.

“Many professionals in their 40s are juggling college expenses for their children, financial support for ageing parents, EMIs, and often with limited savings,” he said.

‘Highest paid’ and first out

Deshpande pointed out that employees in their 40s face a unique vulnerability in today’s economy. Despite years of experience and loyalty to their companies, they often become top targets during cost-cutting measures due to their high compensation.

“They are among the highest paid in their organisations,” he said, adding that losing a job at this age can be a “financial and emotional disaster.”

While this stage of life is often seen as the beginning of one’s “golden salary phase,” the CEO pointed out that being fired at this point can shake up long-term financial planning and deeply affect mental well-being.

“They have children going to college, money to send to parents, EMIs to cover — and not a lot of savings. It’s very, very worrying,” Deshpande added, calling such layoffs a “massive destabiliser.”

He noted that the stress and pressure these professionals face after job loss is both “real” and “intense.”

Responding to questions on LinkedIn, Deshpande offered three survival strategies to help those in their 40s prepare for the unexpected:

  • Upskilling on AI

  • Saving more aggressively

  • Building an entrepreneurial mindset

Many online users echoed these sentiments, suggesting that professionals in this age group should focus on diversifying their income and updating their skill sets to stay relevant in a changing job market.

 

You might also be interested in - LinkedIn releases 2025 list of top companies to work for in India, tech dominates the List