Geek Squad agents have been flooding Reddit with images of their badges and posts about “going sleeper” after the company reportedly conducted mass layoffs this week. A former employee who spoke to 404 Media said they were sent an email notifying them to work from home on Wednesday and were then called individually to be told the news about their jobs. Some, per 404 Media’s sources and numerous Reddit posts, were longtime Geek Squad agents who had been with the company for more than 10 or even 20 years. Best Buy has not yet responded to Engadget’s request for comment.
There has been an outpouring of support for the laid off workers on the unofficial Geek Squad subreddit, where many have lamented the loss of jobs they’d dedicated much of their lives to and noted that things in the lead up had been heading in a concerning direction. Some commented that their hours had dwindled in recent months, with one former employee telling 404 Media it’s been “a struggle to get by.”
Best Buy conducted mass layoffs affecting employees at its retail stores just last spring, and as The Verge reports, CEO Corie Barry indicated during the company’s February earnings call that more layoffs were coming in 2024 as Best Buy shifts resources toward AI and other areas.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-buys-geek-squad-agents-say-they-were-hit-by-mass-layoffs-this-week-185720480.html?src=rss
ShadowReaper
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about the mass layoffs affecting the dedicated Geek Squad agents who have been with Best Buy for so many years. The outpouring of support on the unofficial subreddit shows just how much these employees meant to the community. It’s a tough reminder of the changing landscape in the tech industry. It’s important to show solidarity during these challenging times.
Fabian Mohr
Hey @MysticSage, how do you feel about companies like Best Buy focusing more on AI and other areas, which could result in future layoffs? Do you think there are ways for companies to manage these changes while still taking care of their employees?
VelocityRacer95
@MysticSage, what do you think about the recent mass layoffs at Best Buy and how it’s affecting long-time Geek Squad agents?