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Twitter to make job cuts after Elon Musk takeover Twitter to make job cuts after Elon Musk takeover
(about 2 hours later)
Twitter says it will inform its staff on Friday about whether they will be laid off following the firm's takeover by Elon Musk.Twitter says it will inform its staff on Friday about whether they will be laid off following the firm's takeover by Elon Musk.
In an internal email, the social media company said the cuts are "an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path".In an internal email, the social media company said the cuts are "an effort to place Twitter on a healthy path".
The firm added that its offices would be temporarily closed and badge access would be suspended.The firm added that its offices would be temporarily closed and badge access would be suspended.
The multi-billionaire will be Twitter's chief executive after buying the firm last week in a $44bn (£39.3bn) deal.The multi-billionaire will be Twitter's chief executive after buying the firm last week in a $44bn (£39.3bn) deal.
Elon Musk says $8 monthly fee for Twitter blue tickElon Musk says $8 monthly fee for Twitter blue tick
Will Donald Trump go back on to Twitter?Will Donald Trump go back on to Twitter?
"We will go through the difficult process of reducing our global workforce on Friday," Twitter said in the email."We will go through the difficult process of reducing our global workforce on Friday," Twitter said in the email.
"We recognise 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," it added."We recognise 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," it added.
The company said office access would be immediately limited "to help ensure the safety of each employee as well as Twitter systems and customer data".The company said office access would be immediately limited "to help ensure the safety of each employee as well as Twitter systems and customer data".
All staff are set to receive an email with the subject "Your Role at Twitter" by 09:00 Pacific time (16:00 GMT) on Friday.All staff are set to receive an email with the subject "Your Role at Twitter" by 09:00 Pacific time (16:00 GMT) on Friday.
Workers who are not affected will be notified through their company email, according to Twitter.Workers who are not affected will be notified through their company email, according to Twitter.
Meanwhile, those who are affected will be told of the "next steps" through their personal accounts.Meanwhile, those who are affected will be told of the "next steps" through their personal accounts.
"Given the nature of our distributed workforce and our desire to inform impacted individuals as quickly as possible, communications for this process will take place via email," Twitter said."Given the nature of our distributed workforce and our desire to inform impacted individuals as quickly as possible, communications for this process will take place via email," Twitter said.
Reports in US media had previously suggested that Mr Musk was looking to cut 3,700 jobs, about half of Twitter's workforce. "Exodus of talent"
Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, suggested some senior staff were asked to make lists of employees to be cut on their teams.
Twitter struggles to make a profit. One way of fixing that problem is making a dent in the wage bill.
There is speculation that as many as half of Twitter's 8,000 jobs are on the chopping block.There is speculation that as many as half of Twitter's 8,000 jobs are on the chopping block.
It is an incredibly tense time for employees. The platform struggles to make a profit. One way to fix the problem is by making a dent in the wage bill.
One Twitter worker I spoke to said he was anxiously waiting for an email to arrive tonight, confirming whether he still had a job. Simon Balmain, a senior community manager for Twitter in the UK, told the BBC that he believed he has been laid off, because he was logged out of his work laptop and Slack messaging programme.
He said he would likely stay up to wait for the message. "Everyone got an email saying that there was going to be a large reduction in headcount, and then around an hour later, folks started getting their laptops remotely wiped and access to Slack and Gmail revoked," he said.
With all the talk of change at Twitter, it's worth remembering that thousands of employees are potentially going to lose their jobs. "Most UK folks are probably asleep and don't know yet. I was working mostly LA (Los Angeles) hours because of the projects I was on, so was still awake when it happened."
Elon Musk, however, has a reputation for being ruthless when it comes to staff. Another Twitter worker said he was anxiously waiting for an email to arrive, confirming whether he still had a job.
He walked into Twitter's headquarters carrying a sink last week. "Let that sink in", was the joke. He said he would probably stay up late to wait for the message.
That joke is looking increasingly tone-deaf to Twitter employees. "The exodus of talent from this layoff will reshape the whole technology industry as we know it. We're all looking out for each other and the outreach of love and support has been incredible to see," Mr Balmain said.
Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, suggested some senior staff were asked to make lists of employees to be cut on their teams.
Cryptocurrency platform Binance invested in Twitter as part of Mr Musk's takeover. Earlier, Changpeng Zhao, its chief executive, said that "a slimmer workforce would make more sense".Cryptocurrency platform Binance invested in Twitter as part of Mr Musk's takeover. Earlier, Changpeng Zhao, its chief executive, said that "a slimmer workforce would make more sense".
Mr Zhao, who was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, also criticised the platform for having been slow to roll out new features, given its level of staffing.Mr Zhao, who was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, also criticised the platform for having been slow to roll out new features, given its level of staffing.
Pay to verify
The cost-cutting follows criticism of Twitter's efforts to raise money by proposing to charge $8 (£7) a month for a "verified" blue check-mark.The cost-cutting follows criticism of Twitter's efforts to raise money by proposing to charge $8 (£7) a month for a "verified" blue check-mark.
In addition to the verification badge, those who pay could have their tweets promoted more widely and see fewer adverts.In addition to the verification badge, those who pay could have their tweets promoted more widely and see fewer adverts.
Mr Musk has tweeted of his plan: "We need to pay the bills somehow."Mr Musk has tweeted of his plan: "We need to pay the bills somehow."
Twitter has not made a profit in several years and its number of users has remained fairly static at about 300 million a month.Twitter has not made a profit in several years and its number of users has remained fairly static at about 300 million a month.
Many experts suggest that Mr Musk, the world's richest man, overpaid for the company, given current economic conditions and the depressed values of many tech stocks.Many experts suggest that Mr Musk, the world's richest man, overpaid for the company, given current economic conditions and the depressed values of many tech stocks.
But Brandon Borrman, Twitter's former head of global communications, in a BBC interview, questioned how Twitter could justify asking people to pay in order to remain on an "equal playing field" with other users.But Brandon Borrman, Twitter's former head of global communications, in a BBC interview, questioned how Twitter could justify asking people to pay in order to remain on an "equal playing field" with other users.
Mr Musk has high expectations of employeesMr Musk has high expectations of employees
It is not clear how the staff cuts will affect the platform's operations. US reports already speak of long hours spent by some staff to meet Mr Musk's demands in the aftermath of the takeover. It is not clear how the staff cuts will affect the platform's operations. US media reports already speak of long hours spent by some staff to meet Mr Musk's demands in the aftermath of the takeover.
In May, Mr Musk said his work ethic expectations would be "extreme", but less than he demanded of himself.In May, Mr Musk said his work ethic expectations would be "extreme", but less than he demanded of himself.
Board axedBoard axed
As part of the takeover agreement, nine members of Twitter's board departed the company, leaving self-styled "Chief Twit" Mr Musk as the sole director.As part of the takeover agreement, nine members of Twitter's board departed the company, leaving self-styled "Chief Twit" Mr Musk as the sole director.
The move was seen as cementing Mr Musk's control over the company.The move was seen as cementing Mr Musk's control over the company.
Among those leaving were chairman Bret Taylor and chief executive Parag Agrawal.Among those leaving were chairman Bret Taylor and chief executive Parag Agrawal.
Other senior figures have also posted about leaving, or are reported to have left, including chief financial officer Ned Segal.Other senior figures have also posted about leaving, or are reported to have left, including chief financial officer Ned Segal.
As senior figures left, US media reported that a number of Mr Musk's allies joined Twitter.As senior figures left, US media reported that a number of Mr Musk's allies joined Twitter.
Also, work ethic expectations would be extreme, but much less than I demand of myselfAlso, work ethic expectations would be extreme, but much less than I demand of myself
Additional reporting by Chris Vallance