Even before Elon Musk took over Twitter, there were rumors that he was going to sack half of the employees from the micro-blogging site. Well, they are now coming true.
After letting go of Twitter’s Indian-origin CEO Parag Agrawal among other top executives, he is now cutting down on other employees of the organization.
Regarding the layoff, Musk earlier tweeted that they have no choice especially when the company is losing over $4M/day.
Regarding Twitter’s reduction in force, unfortunately there is no choice when the company is losing over $4M/day.
Everyone exited was offered 3 months of severance, which is 50% more than legally required.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2022
According to sources, the employees were notified about their dismissal by email soon after which they have been losing access to their emails and other office communication mediums like Slack. They were also barred from entering the offices.
Taking to their personal accounts on Twitter, several employees who lost their jobs (including those from Twitter India) said their final goodbyes to the company.
Has it already started? Happy layoff eve! pic.twitter.com/0AcaQjGJvm
— Rumman Chowdhury (@ruchowdh) November 4, 2022
And just like that, I’m out ?. Thank you for everything, @Twitter. I’ll miss you ?
— London Lee (@londo_lee) November 4, 2022
My watch at Twitter has come to an end. To those around me who helped make Twitter better, thank you. You were a constant inspiration for me to be the best I can be. It’s been a journey of change, chaos, ups & downs, each one of them special and I wouldn’t trade it for the world
— Tim Marks the end of an era (@imothee) November 4, 2022
Twitter is so special. After 4 yrs, I’m leaving with the fullest ?, experiences I never imagined, and unbreakable bonds with so many Tweeps. My head is held high, knowing I gave it my absolute all. @TwitterComms: We have so much to be proud of. Time to fly even higher! #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/5tVUP575A6
— Julie Steele (@juliezsteele) November 4, 2022
Well this isn’t looking promising. Can’t log into emails. Mac wont turn on.
But so grateful this is happening at 3am. Really appreciate the thoughtfulness on the timing front guys.
Meanwhile to everyone else at Twitter, you’re the best ❤️ #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/iWyAPeURcm
— Chris Younie (@ChrisYounie) November 4, 2022
What a journey it has been…7 years…feels like an eternity … a big hug ?to Tweeps and partners who made it totally worthwhile…end of an era …Farewells need to be short and sweet? #LoveWhereYouWorked #LoveWhoYouWorkedWith #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/B9C4goiPHV
— Rachit Uppal (@RachitUppal) November 4, 2022
Yesterday was my last day of work at Twitter.
I am grateful that I got the opportunity to work with such amazing folks around.
To all my fellow Tweeps – I wish you the best, You got this!
Please feel free to dm me if you need any help or just an ear for listening.— Manvi Tyagi(She/her) (@ManviTyagi9) November 4, 2022
While some were emotional, one of them was surprisingly not bitter about being waved off the company.
25-year-old Yash Agarwal who was into public policy at Twitter shared a happy picture from his now ex-office and wrote, “Just got laid off. Bird App, it was an absolute honour, the greatest privilege ever to be a part of this team, this culture #LoveWhereYouWorked #LoveTwitter”
Just got laid off.
Bird App, it was an absolute honour, the greatest privilege ever to be a part of this team, this culture ??#LoveWhereYouWorked #LoveTwitter pic.twitter.com/bVPQxtncIg— Yash Agarwal✨ (@yashagarwalm) November 4, 2022
From slamming Elon Musk to wishing well to the ex-employees, this is how people online reacted to Twitter’s shocking wave-offs.
I’m not one of those who thinks Elon Musk is a faker. I think he is good at talking to engineers and selecting plans of action for teams of them. I think he is good at making machines. Rockets. Power storage. Cars.
I do not think he is good with people.
Twitter is people.— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) November 5, 2022
Musk makes me think of Tom Sawyer, who is given the job of whitewashing a fence as punishment. Tom cons his friends into doing the chore for him, and getting them to pay for the privilege. That's what Musk wants to do with Twitter. No, no, no.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 3, 2022
Tweeps are just hanging out in Slack saying nice things to each other until their access is cut off. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Some really incredible people leaving Twitter tonight. We are all worse off without them there
— Casey Newton (@CaseyNewton) November 4, 2022
Talking to a couple of Twitter employees just now who learned they don't work there anymore when their email stopped working. I have never talked to people more excited to get laid off in my entire life.
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) November 4, 2022
Reports indicate that employees in engineering, communications, product, content curation, and machine learning ethics were among those impacted by the mass layoffs.
Since his acquisition of Twitter, Musk has tweeted several new updates that will soon be visible on Twitter, the prominent one is paying $8 per month to retain the blue ticks.
Trash me all day, but it’ll cost $8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 5, 2022
While he has ensured there won’t be changes to content policies until a new content moderation council is in place, he, however, suggested that the site would be split into different strands of content. Moreover, a charge might also be levied if users want to access any video content on the app.
What are your opinions on these updates? Let us know.