According to several American media, hundreds of employees have chosen to leave. Half of the 7,500 employees of the Californian group were already laid off two weeks ago by the multi-billionaire. Some 700 employees have already resigned during the summer, even before having the certainty that the acquisition would take place.
Since Thursday evening, many users of the social network, including ex-collaborators, journalists and analysts, have been wondering if the end of Twitter is near.
“And… we just hit a new peak in Twitter usage, lol“, quipped Elon Musk. The one who bought the platform for 44 billion dollars on October 27, also tweeted a pirate flag with a skull and a meme (parody image). The latter presents a man with the face of bluebird, posing in front of such a masked grave of a bluebird, as if Twitter is hilariously attending its own funeral.
Offices closed until November 21
On Thursday afternoon, Twitter warned all employees that the company’s buildings were temporarily closed and inaccessible, even with a badge, according to an internal letter published by several American media.
“The offices will reopen on Monday 21 November. Thank you for your flexibility. Please continue to comply with the internal rules by refraining from discussing confidential information on social networks, with the press or elsewhere.“, says the message.
On Wednesday, November 16, Elon Musk asked employees of the social network individually to commit to “working long hours at high intensity to build a revolutionary Twitter 2.0 and succeed in an increasingly competitive world.“
“Only an exceptional performance will be worth a sufficient mark“, he specified in this internal mail.
Employees had until Thursday afternoon to click on the box “oui“, under penalty of having to leave Twitter with compensation corresponding to three months’ salary.
The method clashes even in the United States, where labor law is less protective of employees than in many developed countries.
On Thursday evening, anti-Elon Musk messages were projected onto the facade of the company’s headquarters in San Francisco, right next to the logo. “Elon Musk, shut up“, “Stop toxic Twitter” or “Onward to bankruptcy“, could we for example read.
“Merci”
Dozens of current and especially past employees met on Thursday evening in a “Spaces”, the platform’s audio lounges, to support each other and reminisce.
Employees who chose to stay spoke of their unwavering attachment to the social network and their desire to see it survive and even be reborn.
“Kudos to all Twitter workers. You have built a vital place of connection and you deserved so much better. (…) Thanks“, for her part, tweeted the elected Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Shout out to all the workers at Twitter. You all built a vital place for connection and deserved so much better.
Millions of people appreciate the space you built and the hard work that went into it. Thank you
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 18, 2022
“I have no words, I’m just grateful to be able to say that I managed to get my dream job and accomplish more than I ever thought possible. It’s been a great adventure“, has, for its part, shared Deanna Hines-Glasgow, an “Ex Tweep”, the nickname of the employees of Twitter.
“To all the Tweeps who decided today would be their last day: thank you for being amazing colleagues through the ups and downs. I can’t wait to see what you do next“, declared Esther Crawford, director of products in development of the platform, one of the rare persons in charge who neither resigned nor was fired, and who still publicly supports the whimsical leader.