I relocated across the country when Tesla asked. Then I was laid off 6 months later.

• On Sunday night, Elon Musk sent a company-wide email to Tesla staff announcing a workforce reduction of more than 10%.
• One laid-off Tesla worker said they moved about 6 months ago for the job before being let go.
• They moved cross-country after Tesla offered them a stipend to do it.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a former Tesla employee who was laid off on Sunday night and requested anonymity to protect their privacy. Business Insider has verified their identity and employment. A spokesperson for Tesla did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The following has been edited for length and clarity.