Oops! Stripe accidentally sent a duck picture to laid-off employees
Stripe’s Communication Mistake
This week, Stripe made a big mistake with how they communicated their decision to lay off around 300 employees. According to Business Insider, the affected employees received an email with a PDF attachment showing a duck and an incorrect date for the layoffs.
A spokesperson for Stripe admitted the error to Business Insider and sent a follow-up email to correct it. The company plans to continue with the layoffs, aiming to reach 10,000 by the end of the year.
On Blind, a platform where tech industry employees can discuss anonymously, Stripe workers joked about creating an emoji featuring the duck on the company’s Slack channel.
The Trend of Mass Layoffs in Tech
In recent years, many tech companies have laid off numerous employees after years of growth, leading to mass layoffs. These layoffs, caused by overhiring during the pandemic, have not always been handled well. Employees often face sudden issues like not being able to access work devices or receiving incorrect information, adding stress to an already difficult situation.
The power dynamic has shifted from employees to employers since the wave of mass layoffs began towards the end of 2022. Employees may feel powerless to voice their concerns when their companies form partnerships with entities like the Pentagon. The tech job market is no longer as favorable as it once was, showing a change in leadership priorities away from employee well-being.
Controversies Surrounding Stripe’s CEO
In late 2024, Stripe’s CEO, Patrick Collison, faced criticism for a post on X where he was seen running in Tel Aviv, expressing his enjoyment of being back. This caused backlash in Ireland, Collison’s home country where Stripe has offices, due to Israel’s actions in the Gaza conflict. Despite these controversies, Stripe remains a major player in the industry, with a valuation of over $70 billion.
Link to original article: https://x.com/patrickc/status/1861749249043796000
