Better.com CTO Moving Into “Advisory” Role
Better.com is losing another C-suite executive in the wake of its controversial layoffs.
Chief Technology Officer Diane Yu is stepping back into an advisory role, TechCrunch reported after obtaining an internal memo circulated at the company.
The memo states that the move gives Yu “more flexibility to spend more time with her family and additional time in Hong Kong.” It is signed by Better’s infamous CEO Vishal Garg.
Better.com has seen rapid turnover of execs after firing 900 employees on a Zoom call last December.
Garg told the employees that they were “part of the unlucky group that is being laid off,” and that their employment was “terminated effective immediately.” The employees were then locked out of their work computers.
Garg faced fierce backlash for his handling of the call, with critics saying he appeared insincere. He has been accused of other bizarre behavior as well, including calling Better employees “dumb dolphins” and claiming that 250 employees were “stealing” from the company by being unproductive while working remotely.
After the first round of layoffs, three executives resigned and Garg was forced into a leave of absence. However, he returned a month later, prompting two more high-profile resignations.
Since then, Better botched another round of layoffs– this time accidentally letting employees find out through their payroll app before any official announcement– and most recently offering a voluntary separation program to certain employees.
The separation program was offered to corporate and product, design, and engineering employees and included 60 days of paid severance and health insurance coverage.
It’s not clear if Yu’s decision is linked to the program. TechCrunch reported that Yu referenced the program on her LinkedIn but did not directly link it to her circumstances.