Last Updated on November 4, 2022
Previously reported mass firings at Twitter officially began Thursday with a companywide email sent by new CEO Elon Musk. The email, which was obtained by The Washington Post, informed workers that formal layoffs will begin as early as Friday morning. After top executives were fired, it has been reported that as much as 50 percent of Twitter’s staff — nearly 3,700 workers — could be let go.
“In an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path, we will go through the difficult process of reducing our global workforce on Friday,” the internal email stated.
“We recognize that this will impact a number of individuals who have made valuable contributions to Twitter, but this action is unfortunately necessary to ensure the company’s success moving forward.”
All Twitter employees will receive a notification indicating their standing with the company, the email went on to say. Those who are keeping their jobs will be notified through their work account, while those being laid off will be messaged through their personal email.
Firings will be determined by employee contributions to Twitter’s code during the tenure, the New York Post reported. Company offices will be temporarily closed and badge access suspended as the firings are conducted, a follow-up email stated.
The firings are taking place as the company’s overhaul of the company begins to take shape. Earlier this week, he ordered Twitter employees to “work 24/7” on reforming the platform’s verification system. Verification badges — which come in the form of a blue checkmark — are used to verify public figures and organizations. The process has long been criticized for a lack of transparency and consistency, however.
Under Musk’s new system, verified users will be required to pay $8 per month to keep their blue check as part of his “Twitter Blue” subscription plan.
Musk has also stated that the social media giant will be forming a “content moderation council” that will review content and process bans. The new Twitter boss — who has previously stated that he does not believe in lifetime bans — says that it will take a number of weeks for banned users to return. Some users, such as Kanye West and The Babylon Bee, have formally returned, however.
While Musk’s takeover has been welcomed by those opposed to Twitter’s censorship — some of which has been coordinated with the federal government — others have remained skeptical. Musk recently met with leaders of leftist organizations such as the NAACP and the ADL and affirmed the company’s commitment to “fighting hate” and complying with election procedures.
