Days before Elon Musk’s deal to take over Twitter could finally close, social company employees are warning that staff cuts would be “reckless.” Time reports that an open letter is circulating within the company from an unspecified number of Twitter employees, addressed to Musk and the Twitter board.
The letter follows a statement from The Washington Post that Musk wants to cut no less than 75 percent of Twitter’s approximately 7,500 employees. “Elon Musk’s plan to lay off 75% of Twitter employees will damage Twitter’s ability to serve public discussion,” the letter said. “A threat of this magnitude is reckless, undermines the trust of our users and customers in our platform and is transparent harassment of employees. We cannot do our job in an environment of constant harassment and threats.”
The letter also includes a list of requirements for “current and future leadership” from the company. In addition to a “fair layoff policy for all employees,” letter writers want Musk to keep existing employee benefits, including remote work. Musk has previously criticized remote working and suggested that most Twitter employees should go back to the office.
The letter also references the potential ideological divide between some Twitter employees and Musk, who has said he favors less moderation. “We demand that leadership not discriminate against employees on the basis of their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or political affiliation,” the letter reads.
It’s unclear how many employees have signed on to the letter so far. But it’s yet another sign of how messy things can get for Twitter employees under Musk. After months of legal battles, the deal appears to be on track to close by the October 28 deadline.
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