When did estimates turn into deadlines?

When managers refused to accept that we just can't predict the future of the creative work that is software design and implementation.

And that's because their entire existence is based upon money, not results. I've only ever had one good manager, and that was because he knew what he didn't know and accepted that we do and are trying our best.

I was asked to estimate a major project after a month of onboarding and such, and despite being lied to that the deadline was flexible, management decided the estimate was a suicide pact. Best part is: we all got laid off right as we finished up most of the work.

So yeah. Predicting the future is hard.