Thread regarding 2U Inc. layoffs

Today is layoff day!

Whose got a meeting on their calendar from their HRBP? Let's hear about your layoff story b/c misery loves company!

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| 17144 views | | 89 replies (last October 2, 2023) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1oPBigwI

89 replies (most recent on top)

Was there even an office to return to? Between edX and 2U there are people located all over the world. This also wasn't the first layoff...so it seems lame to blame it on remote work and people not wanting to return to...what office??

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Post ID: @4fca+1oPBigwI

I really don’t think these layoffs happened because people didn’t want to return to office full time. How would that have changed any of the financials? Bs

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Post ID: @4nkm+1oPBigwI

Denver remote X 3

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Post ID: @4giz+1oPBigwI

In a lot of ways the company is doing better then ever, but its still not profitable and w/o achieving that its unsustainable - it cant keep borrowing money forever and credit is getting tight. When management asked people to return to the office and the push back was overwhelming many people sealed their fate and many more may be replaceable by overseas foreign labor.

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Post ID: @4hxk+1oPBigwI

But….. “we are performing stronger than ever”

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Post ID: @3qyy+1oPBigwI

Happy to hear/ read what was considered?

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Post ID: @3zjw+1oPBigwI

Myself and 2 people I know are from Florida, but I know a few in FL that were not in this round. So not thinking it was region based.

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Post ID: @3gbo+1oPBigwI

Curious as to which geographic areas the layoffs impacted - can those who got laid off disclose their location?

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Post ID: @3zjo+1oPBigwI

Reading these comments as a member of this latest round and I’m just numb. Went from feeling sorry for myself to glad I’m out and concerned for my friends still “on the inside”. The writing is apparently on the wall, I was just too busy holding sh@& together to see it.

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Post ID: @3ukl+1oPBigwI

Dissolving Baylor as well, right?

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Post ID: @3uhi+1oPBigwI

Would’ve been cool to hear this all from the CEO mouth. Not a proofread from letter after HR Invites were sent. Thanks Chris

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Post ID: @2det+1oPBigwI

Management made cuts they had to in order to help make the company profitable. If the employees dont want to return to the office then often times it makes more sense to move the job offshore.

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Post ID: @2osv+1oPBigwI

You can find what appears to be (crazy) words from Chip Paucek in one of the posts above thus one, titled "No Apologies from the Higher Ups."

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Post ID: @1sak+1oPBigwI

Where is chip

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Post ID: @1pxe+1oPBigwI

In our meeting today they said it was 2 directors, 22 managers, 40 ICs that were laid off.

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Post ID: @1ycb+1oPBigwI

One writes "400?, no way...it was only 200."
Only......200, eh?
200 people in 1 day, even so, is HORRIFIC!
And as many have noted, layoffs @ here come in groups, one after the other. Then wait a few months and then there's more ( not even mentioning the numbers let go that are more "minimal" aka, less than 200. And it seems like it was a greater # than "just 200" btw.
HORRIFIC!!!!

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Post ID: @1byg+1oPBigwI

The former employee who posted that their job search was hindered by the 2u name/brand and therefore leaned more @ the EdEx brand was spot on.
2u's name, for a good few years now, is not one that reputable companies respect, At All, these days. They know.
Folks, you take care of you!!

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Post ID: @1qei+1oPBigwI

Its not misinformation, insider here & I can confirm that its 430+ people laid off.

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Post ID: @1chs+1oPBigwI

Great point. Most people haven’t heard of 2U, and if they did it was mostly negative.

EdX is a well known and respected brand.

I truly hope that “EdX” can deliver on the promise of democratizing high quality, affordable education.

In my opinion, it is the CEO WHO SHOULD BE THROWN UNDER THE BUS for the terrible reputation that “2U” has. It is NOT THE FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES.

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Post ID: @1vcx+1oPBigwI

Just some advice from someone who got laid off in an earlier round — I’ve landed at a job that I enjoy and where I feel valued. It’s possible to find a job where you’re not constantly having to justify your existence! When I was sending my resume around and interviewing, I found I got much more traction if I branded myself as a former edX employee rather than 2U. 2U’s name is not at all respected, and edX brand has not been tarnished too much by its association with 2U yet. Good luck!

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Post ID: @1nld+1oPBigwI

Does anyone know if a second layoff is on deck anytime soon? I'm very nervous now.

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Post ID: @1wis+1oPBigwI

Not surprised at all by this. During the last big round of layoffs, most of the jobs were reassigned to the office in South Africa- we were told it was because labor was cheaper. Now this go-around, most of the jobs are being outsourced to 2U’s other partner company, which is based in India, and where the labor is also cheaper. They are “restructuring” in that they are moving the majority of their labor outside the U.S. to cut costs. We see you Chip.

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Post ID: @1nva+1oPBigwI

I have no idea how many people were laid off but the employees that I know if we’re all there 6+ years and in management positions, including myself..

At $2,30-$3.00 a share, we are the lucky ones. 2U could close their doors at any time.

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Post ID: @1jqo+1oPBigwI

Hey…but at least I got to go to Disney and Harry Potter world for free! Oh and Long Beach but that su-ked.

But for real anyone who survived the cull today…get your resume and life together. This company will not be around a year from now. Figure out how to position yourself to the broader job market…because 2U roles aren’t transferable. They were created that way by design.

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Post ID: @1ind+1oPBigwI

I was laid off today and they noted that there was a very comprehensive rubric to determine who was laid off. LOL I was in charge of one of our highest producing teams. But I’m also one of the most tenured in the department. So loyalty and expertise mean nothing - beware!

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Post ID: @1luq+1oPBigwI

Confirmed that 462 are or will be fired soon.

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Post ID: @1fyq+1oPBigwI

There were about 200 layoffs, not 400. This is exactly how misinformation gets passed along like wildfire. 400 would likely require a WARN notice.

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Post ID: @1qbt+1oPBigwI

If the main goal of layoffs is to save $ (and that would be the point) then 400+ would reflect multiple millions/month retained. All the while, keeping a relatively steady ( even if it's at a very low level of quality) churn in output.
If the school partners were already feeling like they were receiving a lower quality of services prior to today, they may be shocked at how much worse the services received could get.

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Post ID: @1wap+1oPBigwI

400 people. No way

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Post ID: @1gme+1oPBigwI

Dont ask me how but I can confirm that its 400+ ppl laid off today.

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Post ID: @1ada+1oPBigwI

How many people got laid off? Why is this not in the news so far?

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Post ID: @kvz+1oPBigwI

https://twitter.com/TheLayoff/status/1707478227424575707

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Post ID: @wjk+1oPBigwI

how would unionization work in an international company like ours?

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Post ID: @cei+1oPBigwI

the attempts by soulless corporate leadership to put a positive spin on laying people off is so sickening. at least own up to your egregious management failures instead of sugarcoating everything in layers and layers of corporate-speak.

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Post ID: @nqb+1oPBigwI

Dobs email for anyone who cares:

Hello student engagement,

As Chip shared earlier today, we’re making important progress in our transition to a platform company, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Given the need to better support our platform strategy and move us forward more quickly, we have taken a hard look at how we are organized to focus teams on the right work, eliminate duplicative work, address excess capacity, and streamline management layers that may slow us down.

Over the last few hours, we have spoken with members of student engagement whose roles have changed or who will be leaving 2U. Allowing team members the time and space to have these conversations is important and we appreciate your understanding as we met with these individuals. It’s never easy to say goodbye to colleagues, but we are confident this is best for students, partners, and the future of 2U.

It is important for you to understand how our team has changed, why we made the decisions we did, and what it means for your future work. We’re committed to keeping you informed. Here’s what you can expect over the next couple of days:

Over the next 24 hours your department leader will set up time to meet with their respective teams. In this discussion you will hear all of the relevant context as it pertains to your team.

On Tuesday we will have a full student engagement team meeting where I will share the full context for all of the student engagement changes, first with our management team and then with the full student engagement team.

Over the course of next week myself, and our leadership team, will make themselves accessible to all of you.

I find that in circumstances like this it is important to be clear on expectations. Our shared expectations are that context will be provided in a transparent, authentic and direct manner. I also want to be sure that collectively we remain aligned on honoring our commitments to our learners and to each other through authenticity, decency and support.

It’s been our collective strength over the years that has allowed us to navigate through difficult times in the past, I am confident that same strength will continue to help us through this one.

If at any time you find yourself overwhelmed, please do not hesitate to reach out to your managers or HR for assistance. We have resources in place to provide support.

Thank you,

Dobbs

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Post ID: @uft+1oPBigwI

Seems like the "plan" is:

  1. slow the bleed
  2. infuse value by buying bogus stock so that an artificial value is presented - face value purposes, only)
  3. fire multi millions worth of talent - being the more $enior members of various departments

3+) retain the lesser experienced/lesser paid employees to do the work - even though (by mere definition, if you're removing the more highly skilled) the Outcome (that no longer seem to matter) is progressively becoming more subpar.

  1. $elect divide those savings
  2. no more bonuses!! (except for those who are in the $elect group).
  3. and allow this excuse for a respectable company squeeze until there is not a drop left (of $, of integrity, of reputation...)
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Post ID: @nsz+1oPBigwI

At what point does the C Suite say to themselves, “maybe we’re the problem”? Cause it seems to me that they are.

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Post ID: @ekh+1oPBigwI

@kbv+1oPBigwI some people have bills to pay. we are out here living paycheck to paycheck, can't just up and leave. at least unionizing gives us some protection via collective bargaining.

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Post ID: @gwo+1oPBigwI

@juy+1oPBigwI
https://proathletecommunity.com/our-mission/

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Post ID: @uws+1oPBigwI

What is the other company that Chip started? That's insane.

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Post ID: @juy+1oPBigwI

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