The tech industry is experiencing a fresh wave of layoffs and these job cuts are affecting hundreds of employees across various departments worldwide. Recently, major companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, Snap, and others have announced plans to reduce their workforce as part of restructuring efforts and now, there are speculations that tech billionaire Elon Musk may also be considering layoffs, although this time it's not related to X (formerly Twitter), the media has reported.
Musk, who previously reduced nearly half of Twitter's global workforce, is now considering layoffs for another one of his companies -- EV maker Tesla. News agcney Bloomberg reports that Musk has instructed Tesla managers to assess their employees' work and determine which roles are essential. The company has scrapped its usual semiannual performance review meeting and instead tasked managers with completing assessments, which consist of a single-line query for each employee. This unconventional evaluation process has raised concerns about potential layoffs.
The employee evaluation appears to be influenced by Musk's cost-cutting approach in reaction to Tesla's declining sales growth, the report further noted. Musk, known for his rigorous approach, previously cautioned X employees to adhere to his "hardcore" philosophy.
Meanwhile, Musk recently drew criticism following concerns raised by top executives from his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, regarding alleged drug use, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
In response to the claims, Musk strongly refuted all allegations. Addressing the accusations made in The Wall Street Journal's report, Musk, who is also the owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), denied any drug use and stated that no trace quantities of drugs were found in his system during the past. However, in classic Musk style, the billionaire also tweeted that he'd "definitely take them" if they help boost his productivity.
Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, countered The Wall Street Journal's report, labelling it as based on "false facts." Spiro mentioned that Musk had undergone drug testing since the 2018 incident when he smoked marijuana on the Joe Rogan podcast.
Musk had downplayed the controversy, claiming to have taken only "one puff" and expressing his aversion to illegal activities in conversations with his biographer Walter Isaacson.