5 Big Tech Companies That Have Laid Off Staff to Cut on Cost

Major technology firms are currently making strategic changes to their workforce, with layoffs being a primary focus.

The extent of these layoffs seems relatively small compared to the employment upheaval experienced in the previous January.

Amazon Spearheads the Restructuring Effort

 Amazon, a tech titan, has made considerable strides in restructuring its operations.

Twitch, a live streaming platform owned by Amazon, announced a staff reduction of 35 percent, impacting approximately 500 employees.

Concurrently, Audible, Amazon’s audiobook division, implemented layoffs affecting 100 employees.

The company also revealed plans to downsize its Prime Video and MGM Studios divisions, highlighting a comprehensive evaluation of business operations.

Google and Discord Ride

Google, another tech heavyweight, carried out layoffs across multiple divisions, affecting hundreds of employees, including those in engineering, hardware, and the Google Assistant team.

Discord, a widely used communication platform, followed by announcing a 17 percent workforce reduction, which translates to about 170 employees.

Both companies pointed to the necessity of streamlining operations for enhanced efficiency.

Duolingo and Humane Adjust to Evolving Trends

Duolingo, the language learning application, pivoted towards artificial intelligence, leading to a 10 percent reduction in contract employees.

The company clarified that the changes would not affect full-time employees. Similarly, AI startup Humane made a 4% workforce cut, framing the changes as a strategic step towards long-term growth.

Comparing the Numbers: Past and Present

A comparison of this month’s developments with those of January last year reveals a notable difference.

Layoffs.fyi reported that 37 tech companies made cuts this month, a stark contrast to the 278 companies in January of the previous year.

In 2023, major layoffs across the U.S. exceeded 305,000, with companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft making significant workforce reductions.

Last year, economic uncertainties forced companies to make difficult decisions. Yellow Corporation, a trucking company, filed for bankruptcy, resulting in a massive layoff of 30,000 employees.

Amazon, confronted with an “uncertain economy,” eliminated 8,000 jobs in January 2023 and an additional 9,000 in November. Google’s parent company Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft laid off 32,000 employees in January 2023.

As tech giants continue to navigate ongoing challenges, the current workforce adjustments appear more measured compared to the drastic changes seen last year.

 The industry’s resilience and adaptability will undoubtedly influence its path in the upcoming months, as it strives to strike a balance between operational efficiency and maintaining a vibrant workforce.