The number of layoffs is uncertain, but some engineers took to Twitter yesterday to say via email that their “contribution” was no longer needed. The most recent layoffs are that Musk, along with a handful of other senior employees at the company, reported Tuesday. The turn came after Twitter announced it had fired its head of infrastructure, Nelson Abramson.
Twitter’s headcount has dropped by about 75% since Musk took over the company at the end of October, The Information estimates. The social media website employed around 7,500 people under former CEO Parag Agrawal. It was reported a week ago that about 2,000 employees remained from this number. In November, Musk said the company would not cut more workers than what was left of its workforce. The word came after the billionaire’s “extremely harsh” ultimatum led to at least 1,200 resignations.
Another move from Elon Musk! People are unemployed again!
These additional losses in the team responsible for keeping Twitter up and running are likely to raise concerns about how unreliable the site might become in the near future. At the same time, the move could further drive Tesla investors away, who are already worried about how much time Musk is spending on Twitter. According to The Information, Musk has hired Tesla engineer Sheen Austin to lead the social media website’s infrastructure team following Abramson’s departure.
The layoffs also point to the precarious financial situation Twitter has found itself in since Musk took over. In recent weeks, Elon and other executives have reportedly discussed the possible consequences of refusing severance payments to thousands of people who have been fired from the company in recent weeks. The company also lags behind in leasing for its San Francisco headquarters and global network of satellite offices.