Epic Layoffs Hit Employee Battling Terminal Brain Cancer

Last week, Epic Games announced that it was laying off more than 1,000 employees in a move they claim was due to lower-than-expected engagement in Fortnite and other areas of the games business. Since then, dozens of employees have taken to social media to make it known that they were caught up in the layoffs. That includes one person going through a battle with brain cancer.

In a social media post over the weekend, Jenni Griffin revealed that her husband, programmer writer Michael (Mike) Prinke, was one of the many people to lose their jobs.

Prinke, as Griffin writes, is battling terminal brain cancer. As an Epic Games employee, he received life insurance as a benefit. Now that he’s lost his job, that benefit goes away. And, because his cancer is viewed as a “pre-existing condition” by insurance companies, he’s not eligible to gain new coverage.

It’s important to note that employees who’ve lost their jobs retain company-provided health insurance for six months. Life insurance, on the other hand, appears to be ending immediately.

“So now, as I face the reality of losing my husband…I’m also facing the reality of what type of funeral/burial I can afford,” she said. “How I will keep a roof over our heads. How I will protect our son and the life we built together. What will happen to our dogs?”

Griffin continued: “Mike is not just a number. He is a father. A husband. A person deeply loved.”

She says that she’s hoping that by sharing this message, it reaches those at Epic who made the decision. She believes that, had those making the decision known the “full human impact”, they would’ve done something to protect Prinke.

“We are running out of time, and I’m trying everything I can to protect my family while I still have him here with us,” she said, pleading for the message to be shared.

We want to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Michael and Jenni, as well as to all of the people who have lost their jobs. You can read her full post and share it yourself below.

Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…

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