900 People Fired on Zoom Call: CEO's Handling Sparks Outrage

In a shocking move, Vishal Garg, the CEO of mortgage startup Better, laid off approximately 900 employees, or 9% of the company's total workforce, during a mass Zoom call in December. The sudden and seemingly cold manner in which he handled the layoffs has sparked widespread outrage and criticism.

The incident was first reported when footage leaked online showing Garg addressing the affected group, informing them that they were 'part of the unlucky group that is being laid off' and that their employment was terminated effective immediately. The tone and language used by Garg have been widely condemned as insensitive and heartless, particularly given the timing of the layoffs, which occurred just before the holiday season.

In an attempt to deflect criticism, Garg later apologized for the decision, stating that he owned up to it but had 'blundered the execution.' However, this did little to assuage the concerns of employees, investors, and stakeholders, who were left wondering how a CEO could so callously dismiss such a significant number of people without any apparent regard for their well-being or the impact on the company's culture.

The incident has also raised questions about Garg's leadership style and whether he is truly committed to making positive changes within the organization. In response to the backlash, Better announced that it would be expanding its leadership team, including hiring a new board of directors chairman, president, and chief human resources officer.

Despite this announcement, many are still left wondering how such a massive layoff could have occurred without any apparent checks or balances in place. The incident has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability within corporate leadership, particularly when it comes to matters affecting the well-being of employees.

As the dust settles on this controversy, one thing is clear: Garg's handling of the layoffs was unacceptable and has damaged the reputation of Better and its leadership team. It remains to be seen whether the company can recover from this incident or if it will continue to face scrutiny in the days and weeks ahead.

900 people fired on zoom call