Dec 9, 2021

Top Executives Quit After Asshole CEO terminated 900 Staff In a Zoom Callby Chap ChaiChap Chai

Vishal Garg of better.com lost top executives including vice president of communications, Patrick Lenihan, Tanya Hayre Gillogley, head of public relations and Melanie Hahn, head of marketing when they tendered their resignation in protest against his decision to lay off over 900 staff via a Zoom call.

“If you’re on this call, you are part of the unlucky group that is being laid off. Your employment here is terminated effective immediately.” – As reported by CNN

Vishal Garg is the founder and CEO of Better.com, a digital first homeownership and mortgage provider company. He is no stranger to controversies when it comes to CEO ethics. Garg has been accused of taking advantage of his position and misusing investors funds by Goldman Sachs.

“In fact, Goldman Sachs, which has invested in three of Better’s funding rounds, spent two years accusing entities controlled by Garg of “flagrant self-dealing.” – Forbes

Embroiled in a legal battle since 2013 with his ex partner Raza Khan, the man who was accused of tax evasion and misappropriation of funds is now blaming his staff for being laid off.

Credits: independent.co.uk

In a leaked email by former employee, Garg used terms like “too damn slow” and “dumb dolphins” to address his staff when he wants work done.

“You are TOO DAMN SLOW. You are a bunch of DUMB DOLPHINS and…DUMB DOLPHINS get caught in nets and eaten by sharks. SO STOP IT. STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW. YOU ARE EMBARRASSING ME.” – As reported by Forbes

He is also said to have accused the staff he terminated of stealing from the company. Garg submitted his justifications on Blind, an anonymous review site according to Fortune.

“You guys know that at least 250 of the people terminated were working an average of 2 hours a day while clocking in 8 hours+ a day in the payroll system? They were stealing from you and stealing from our customers who pay the bills that pay our bills. Get educated,” – independent.co.uk

Netizens were outraged by the way Garg handled the lay-off, calling him unethical and callous.

Some said he should take accountability for his own actions that resulted in the company’s performance and not place the blame on others.

Others called him selfish, the way he fired 900 staff before Christmas.

Garg issued an apology following the massive backlash. In a leaked letter by a verified Better employee on Blind, Garg addressed how he mishandled the termination.

“I failed to show the appropriate amount of respect and appreciation for the individuals who were affected and for their contributions to Better. I own the decision to do the layoffs, but in communicating it I blundered the execution. In doing so, I embarrassed you.” – Tech Crunch

Netizens were ruthless, saying that Garg only apologized because he was publicly called out and not out of remorse.

This should serve as a lesson to all CEOs out there.

Some said Garg showed his true colours as an incompetent boss.

While businesses have to make very difficult and unpopular decisions, it can be done in an empathetic and dignified way. Let this be a lesson for all to remember that in the age of cancel culture, name and shame will have a significant impact on one’s business.

Reporter’s Opinions: You cannot call laying off 900 staff via Zoom a blunder, it is a fucking choice. You could have called for a closed door meeting with them or sent them letters if the pandemic restrictions are an issue.

As a CEO, do you not understand confidentiality? Then again, an arrogant, greedy nincompoop like you would not care.

His former business partner also called out his bullshit. How do you trust such a despicable, ruthless businessman?