Professionals in their 40s increasingly vulnerable amid corporate layoffs, warns CEO

Once considered the pinnacle of professional success, the decade of the 40s is now emerging as a precarious period in the modern corporate world. Traditionally seen as a phase marked by high earnings, leadership opportunities, and peak productivity, professionals in this age group are now facing growing instability, with layoffs hitting them harder than ever before.

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Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently raised concerns about this unsettling trend. According to him, professionals in their 40s are often burdened with the heaviest financial responsibilities — from funding children’s education and supporting ageing parents to servicing home loans taken during more stable times. Yet, despite these pressures, many in this demographic are among the first to be let go during organisational downsizing. 

Deshpande pointed out that for many, the much-anticipated "golden salary years" — expected in the late 40s or early 50s — remain out of reach when layoffs occur, leading to significant emotional and financial distress. Losing employment at this stage not only derails career trajectories but also puts household finances at risk.

To navigate this volatility, Deshpande recommended three key survival tactics: continuous upskilling, particularly in emerging technologies like AI; a stronger focus on saving; and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. His remarks have sparked conversation on the need for greater support systems for mid-career professionals in an increasingly uncertain job market.