Twitter’s Surprise Comeback: Why Some Employees Are Being Asked to Re‑join
After Elon Musk’s US$44 billion ($44 billion) takeover sparked a massive round of layoffs that cut roughly half of the company’s workforce, Twitter’s top brass is now pulling out a different ball. Bloomberg News reveals that dozens of laid‑off staff members are being offered a chance to come back.
Who’s Being Re‑called?
- Some were stunned out of the office by pure mistake.
- Others were let go before leaders realized that their expertise is crucial for the features Musk is looking to roll out.
- Teams most affected in the layoff included trust & safety, communications, content curation, human rights, machine‑learning ethics, and a handful of product & engineering squads.
Yoel Roth, the head of safety and integrity, tweeted that the layoffs happened “to half the workforce, even those on the trust and safety team.”
New Twist: Paying for a Blue Check
On Saturday, Twitter updated its Apple App Store listing and introduced an $8 monthly fee for that coveted blue verification badge — Musk’s first major change to the platform after the acquisition.
How Twitter’s Re‑staffing Moves Affect You
- Jobs, no more — For those who lost their gigs, the company is re‑offering positions, potentially easing some of the fallout.
- Efficiency — Some folks who were cut inadvertently may suddenly find themselves back in pivotal roles.
- Cash‑flow strategy — The new $8 subscription VC badge is the company’s attempt to cushion its finances post‑takeover.
When asked for a comment, Twitter remained silent. The battle for talent continues, and the buzz is louder than ever.
What’s Next?
- Twitter will likely keep tinkering with its product line.
- Musk’s vision for the platform is still evolving, creating pressure on the remaining stream of ideas and roles.
- For employees: keep an eye on the inbox, the social feeds, and any updates from HR.