Airbnb lays off 1,900 workers, about 25% of its personnel

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky sent out a note to his personnel on Tuesday early morning stating he needed to “share some very sad news.” 

He was letting them understand the house rental business had actually chosen to lay off around 25% of its workers, which is approximately 1,900 individuals out of its 7,500 labor force. It’s among the biggest single layoffs by a Silicon Valley business because the book coronavirus pandemic sent out the world reeling.

“When you’ve asked me about layoffs, I’ve said that nothing is off the table,” Chesky composed to his workers. “This is incredibly difficult to confront, and it will be even harder for those who have to leave Airbnb.”

Airbnb has actually experienced a monetary hit throughout the pandemic. It’s seen 10s of countless canceled appointments and dropping income. The business was on track for a going public this spring, however supposedly delayed those strategies. In his letter to workers, Chesky stated income for Airbnb this year will be less than half of what it made in 2019, which was supposedly $4.8 billion.

Other tech business with a concentrate on travel have actually likewise revealed a loss in income and layoffs over the previous month. Lyft stated recently it was releasing 982 workers, or 17% of its personnel. And Uber is reported to be laying off as much as 20% of its labor force, which would amount to about 5,400 individuals.

“We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime, and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill,” Chesky composed. “Airbnb’s business has been hit hard.”

Airbnb handled $2 billion in financial obligation last month in an effort to remain on its feet, however it appears that increase of cash wasn’t enough to fend off the mass layoffs.

Along with releasing numerous workers, the business is likewise preparing to downsize costs on more recent tasks, such as its push into store hotels and high-end leasings. Chesky stated Airbnb’s strategy now is to focus on a “more focused business strategy” that returns to the business’s core item of leasing individuals’s houses.

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Chesky added that he came to these decisions because it’s unclear when people will start traveling again and when they do, “it will look different.”

For those staff who’ve been laid off, Airbnb said it’s offering them at least 14 weeks of severance, equity in the company and 12 months of health insurance. 

“I am truly sorry,” Chesky wrote in his note to staff. “Please know this is not your fault.”