In July 2022, Better.com CEO Vishal Garg laid off 900 employees via a Zoom video call that lasted less than three minutes. The incident drew widespread attention and sparked outrage, with many criticizing Garg’s lack of empathy and professionalism. It also raised questions about the ethics of conducting mass layoffs over video conference.
While the Better.com layoffs were particularly high-profile, they are not an isolated incident. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies have turned to video conferencing to conduct layoffs. This has led to concerns about the potential for abuse, as it can be easier for employers to terminate employees remotely without providing them with adequate support or explanation.
