Indian tech startup HealthifyMe has laid off 150 employees, which is roughly 20-25 per cent of its workforce. According to Business Today, the decision impacts matter experts, quality analytics, product and marketing roles. The Chiratae-backed startup also confirmed the development to India Today Tech and the company said it is utilising resources for a “new vision around metabolic health (HealthifyMe 2.0).” HealthifyMe joins a host of startups and tech giants that laid off employees in the last few weeks, owing to macroeconomic economic uncertainties. Recently, homegrown short video platform Josh’s parent firm, VerSe also fired 150 employees.
In a prepared statement to India Today Tech, a HealthifyMe spokesperson said, “We have had to take the tough decision to let go 150 of our team members. Like much of tech – growth hasn’t kept pace with expectations and hiring. We are also undergoing an evolution with our new vision around metabolic health (HealthifyMe 2.0) which requires different resources.” The statement adds that the company is providing two months’ salary severance with two weeks per year served at HealthifyMe. The exit package also includes two vested stocks till March 2023, and medical insurance continuance till June 2023, along with counseling and outplacement support.
Meanwhile, a HealthifyMe employee also took to LinkedIn to announce her sudden exit in order to find new roles. The post by former employee Ankita Geed reads, “I’ve been laid off from HealthifyMe. Unexpected but it happened very soon, out of the blue… Although I got to work with great folks there, I am urgently looking out for new exciting opportunities now.” Many former employees from other tech firms like Amazon and Twitter, especially the ones in the US, are actively seeking jobs via LinkedIn to maintain their H-1B visa holder status.
That being said, 2022 has been an uncertain and unfortunate year for tech firms. During the peak COVID-19 pandemic, many firms such as HealthifyMe saw a rise in user base as many people were forced to operate from home. HealthifyMe allows users to check and track their fitness activities and diet.
Between late October and early December, tech giants like Twitter, Meta, and Amazon laid off thousands of employees. In India, Byju has announced plans to lay off 2500 employees to “avoid role duplication across our businesses.” B2B unicorn Udaan also laid off about 10 per cent of its workforce last month.