THREAD: meta layoff shock jobs
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MAJOR RETAIL Chain Shutdown Shock: 150 Stores To Close As Jobs Vanish
— A leading U.S. retailer will close 150 stores across the country in the next year. The company blames falling sales and tough online competition, with most closures hitting city and mall locations where fewer people are shopping in person.
The CEO says this move is part of a bigger plan to boost online sales and give shoppers more modern options. The company will spend $500 million on new shipping centers, better websites, and faster delivery for customers.
This change means layoffs for many office workers and more robots working in warehouses. Experts say these steps are meant to save money and keep the business alive as shopping habits change fast.
Investors liked the news — company stock jumped 7% after hours. Some experts warn this is just the start: old-school retailers must adapt or risk going out of business as online shopping takes over.
BUSINESS INSIDER Layoffs Spark Fear and Fury Across Newsroom
— Business Insider just slashed 21% of its staff, hitting every department. CEO Barbara Peng called it a “long-term transformation strategy.” The company is moving away from its Commerce team, which used to bring in big money.
The Commerce section, famous for shopping tips and affiliate deals, was hit the hardest. Many former workers blasted the layoffs online. They said the team was destroyed and freelance jobs vanished overnight.
Now, Business Insider says it will focus on AI and “innovation-driven” reporting. The union and ex-employees aren’t buying it — they’re worried about what comes next.
This is a huge shift for one of America’s biggest business news sites. More changes could be on the way as this story unfolds.
SALESFORCE’S SHOCKING AI Gamble: American Jobs on the Line
— Salesforce, run by left-leaning CEO Marc Benioff, is cutting back on hiring as artificial intelligence takes over more work. The company’s finance chief said new AI tools mean they need fewer workers, especially in customer service and software jobs. This year alone, 500 customer service staff will be moved to other positions, saving Salesforce $50 million.
AI is now starting to replace software engineers at Salesforce and other tech giants too. Microsoft and Google leaders admit that AI creates up to 30% of new code in some projects. That means fewer jobs for American engineers.
Even with these changes, Salesforce says it will grow its sales team by 22% this year. The company has about 76,500 employees but is shifting focus toward roles that support its growing use of artificial intelligence.
This trend shows Big Tech isn’t just using AI for innovation — they’re also using it to cut costs and reshape their workforce. Sadly, that often means fewer good-paying jobs for Americans.
HHS LAYOFFS Shock Nation: 10,000 Jobs at Risk
— The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing a major shake-up, leading to layoff notices for up to 10,000 workers. Senator Bill Cassidy wants Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to explain the changes next week. HHS hasn’t shared many details about the mass firings that started Tuesday but did release some information on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Democratic attorneys general and governors from 23 states and Washington, DC, are suing HHS and Secretary Kennedy over a $12 billion cut in public health funding. They claim this reduction is illegal and harmful during ongoing health crises like the opioid epidemic and mental health care issues. New York Attorney General Letitia James warned these cuts could undo progress in vital healthcare areas.
These events put more pressure on HHS’s actions under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, affecting public health systems nationwide. The upcoming Senate hearing will likely reveal more about these controversial decisions impacting thousands of jobs and billions in funding across states.;
IRS LAYOFFS SHOCK Taxpayers: Refunds at Risk
— The IRS plans to lay off thousands of probationary employees in the middle of the 2025 tax season. This move comes as many taxpayers are waiting for their refunds. The timing raises concerns about potential delays in processing tax returns and issuing refunds.
Employees were told they cannot accept buyout offers from the Trump administration until after the tax filing deadline. This adds uncertainty to an already tense situation at the IRS during a busy period, affecting both staff and taxpayers alike.
The layoffs may impact the IRS’s ability to manage filings effectively, raising questions about its efficiency during this crucial financial time. Taxpayers could face delays in receiving their much-needed refunds amid economic challenges.
This development highlights broader issues within government agencies managing critical services under financial constraints, sparking debate on resource allocation and operational priorities during key fiscal periods.
— US dockworkers threaten STRIKE over automation concerns Unions representing thousands of dockworkers warn that increased automation could displace jobs, raising fears of cargo shipment disruptions and potential inflation impacts
— US Dockworkers Threaten Strike Over Automation Concerns Union leaders warn that increasing automation could lead to job losses, risking major disruptions in shipping and supply chains nationwide
— Labour Unveils Major Employment Support Reforms The government’s new 'Get Britain Working’ benefits plan aims to significantly reduce the benefits bill by enhancing support to help more people secure jobs
— Google Employees Raise Concerns Over Decline in Morale Following Strong Earnings Report Amid exceptional financial results, Google faces internal scrutiny as employees express morale issues to executives
— Tech Layoffs Surge in January as Wall Street Rally Boosts Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft to Record Highs
MASSIVE BLOW: Tata Steel Shutters Wales Plant, 2,800 Jobs Vanish Overnight
— Indian steel titan, Tata Steel, has revealed plans to close both blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant in Wales. This drastic move will result in the loss of 2,800 jobs and is part of a broader strategy to streamline their unprofitable UK operation and make it more eco-friendly.
The company intends to transition from coal-fired blast furnaces to an electric arc furnace. This modern method emits less carbon and requires fewer workers. The British government backs this shift with a hefty £500 million ($634 million) investment. Tata Steel is confident that this transition will “turn around over a decade of losses” and foster a greener steel industry.
This decision strikes a severe blow to Port Talbot — a town heavily dependent on the steel industry since the early 20th century. Unions had suggested keeping one blast furnace operational while constructing the electric one as an attempt to mitigate job cuts — a proposal that Tata dismissed.
Both blast furnaces are slated for closure within this year. Meanwhile, plans for installing the new electric furnace are set for completion by 2027.
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