Amid his active involvement in the US presidential campaigns, Elon Musk has once again enforced layoffs at his social media company, X, previously known as Twitter. This recent workforce reduction primarily affects X’s engineering department, with reports indicating that the impacted employees had been asked to summarize their contributions shortly before the layoffs.
According to a report from The Verge, employees from X’s engineering team were requested to submit a single-page summary of their work to their leaders two months ago. This summary reportedly played a role in determining stock option eligibility, with those who submitted their contributions now facing the risk of job cuts. Although the exact number of affected employees hasn’t been disclosed, the layoffs are part of Musk’s larger restructuring strategy since acquiring the company in 2022.
Continuous Restructuring at X
Since Musk’s purchase of X, the company has undergone significant changes, with thousands of employees let go. Initially, he reduced around 80% of the workforce, impacting over 6,000 employees across various departments, including diversity, product development, and design. Notably, even the content moderation and trust and safety teams faced reductions, raising concerns over platform safety and content regulation.
Earlier in January, X had reportedly dismissed 1,000 employees focused on content moderation and safety. This wave affected software engineers tasked with reducing abusive content on the platform. The recent layoffs seem to be part of Musk’s continued strategy to streamline operations while restructuring roles across the company.
Musk’s Vision for X Amid Layoffs and New Initiatives
Despite the layoffs, Musk has continued to emphasize his ambitious vision for X. By encouraging innovation while reducing expenses, he aims to enhance the platform’s revenue potential. However, Musk’s dual role as a business leader and an advocate in the political arena has drawn attention, as he openly supports former President Donald Trump’s campaign for the upcoming US elections. His dual focus has led many to question the direction in which he’s taking X and whether it aligns with the needs of both employees and platform users.
Stock-Based Incentives and New Employment Policies
Musk recently introduced changes to the company’s stock grants, linking them to employee performance and overall impact on the platform. In an email to staff, Musk outlined that stock options would be awarded based on measurable contributions, a shift aimed at fostering a more result-oriented culture. While some employees may view this as an opportunity to showcase their contributions, others have expressed concerns over job security amid the continuous restructuring.
In his pursuit to transform X into a leading platform, Musk’s approach has been both ambitious and controversial. As he juggles his roles in business and politics, employees and observers are closely watching how his leadership will shape the future of X.
