Where have all the laid-off tech workers gone?
Employment in the technology industry has reached an inflection point
To understand the shift in tone that has taken place in Silicon Valley in recent months, look no further than Mark Zuckerberg’s declaration in February that 2023 would be the “year of efficiency”. It is hardly the kind of language to set the pulse racing—unless you are an employee on the receiving end of it. On March 14th Meta, the tech giant Mr Zuckerberg runs, announced it would fire 10,000 staff—on top of the 11,000 it laid off last November.
Meta is not alone. On March 20th Amazon, another tech behemoth, said it would cut a further 9,000 corporate employees, having already sacked 18,000 white-collar types. So far this year American tech firms have announced 118,000 sackings, according to Crunchbase, a data provider, adding to the 140,000 jobs cut last year.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline "The sack of Silicon Valley"
Business April 1st 2023
More from Business
Does Perplexity’s “answer engine” threaten Google?
Taking aim at one of the best business models of all times
How not to work on a plane
Hours without interruption and work to do. What could go wrong?
Why does BHP want Anglo American?
Its $39bn takeover offer is the latest in a string of mining mega-mergers