After 23 years at Microsoft, most people would pack up their belongings and move on after a layoff. But for one long-time employee, the story took a surprising turn — even after being officially let go, he’s still showing up at the office.

The former senior employee, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, said in a viral post that he continues to go into Microsoft’s Redmond campus out of a sense of duty to his team and longstanding customers.

“I’m no longer on payroll,” he wrote, “but I still have unfinished business. I’ve spent two decades building relationships, mentoring others, and ensuring our clients were taken care of. I can’t walk away cold.”

The unusual move comes as major tech companies continue to cut staff amid post-pandemic recalibrations and AI-driven restructuring. While Microsoft has not commented directly on the employee’s situation, internal sources say security and management are aware and have not intervened.

Colleagues have described his continued presence as both inspiring and heartbreaking — a symbol of loyalty in a rapidly shifting tech culture.

“He’s the kind of person that made Microsoft feel like a family,” one former team member said. “He didn’t just clock in; he cared.”

While some online have questioned the decision — calling it exploitative or unnecessary — others have praised his sense of commitment and integrity.

“It’s not about a paycheck,” the former employee wrote in a follow-up. “It’s about finishing what I started and making sure I leave things better than I found them.”

His story is now sparking conversation across LinkedIn and Reddit, where tech professionals are debating the meaning of loyalty, identity, and purpose in an industry that increasingly treats workers as disposable.

As layoffs become a recurring feature of the tech landscape, this ex-Microsoft veteran may represent a fading generation — one where dedication went beyond job titles and contracts.