A Bengaluru-based software engineer has sparked widespread reactions online after sharing a dramatic AI-themed “I GOT FIRED” button designed as a satire on layoffs and workplace stress in the tech industry.
Pankaj, who posts on X under the handle “@the2ndfloorguy”, shared photos and videos of the custom-built device attached beside his laptop keyboard.
A joke inspired by layoff fears
According to the viral post, pressing the red-highlighted button would supposedly make the company’s codebase public, leak environment secrets, delete staging databases and automatically notify a lawyer.
The engineer jokingly wrote that he created the device because “AI layoffs are getting out of hand”.
Screenshots shared online showed humorous labels such as “Gaslight Them”, “Decode Corporate BS” and “I GOT FIRED”. Another image displayed a mock notification saying, “Out of office: permanently. Contact my lawyer.”
Many social media users understood the setup as dark workplace humour linked to growing anxiety around layoffs and automation in the technology sector.
Internet reacts with humour and warnings
The post quickly went viral, attracting reactions ranging from amusement to criticism. While some users praised the creativity, others warned that using such a tool in reality could lead to legal trouble and criminal charges.
The viral moment has also reopened discussions about stress, job insecurity and burnout in the tech industry, especially as companies increasingly shift towards AI-driven operations and workforce restructuring.
The incident reflects how humour is becoming a coping mechanism for many young professionals navigating uncertainty in today’s technology landscape.