AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GIA

Carlsbad, California-based Gemological Institute of America, a nonprofit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts, has announced its intentions to lay off 20% of its headquarters workforce.

The reduction in force will impact 151 employees, 100 of whom work in the GIA lab, including 43 lab associates who specialize in weights and measures, 18 diamond graders, six specialist diamond graders, and four associate diamond graders. Layoffs will commence on September 22, 2023.

According to a spokesperson, “Many organizations in the global gem and jewelry sector are having to make difficult decisions due to the general downturn in economic conditions affecting the global gem trade.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT 2SEVENTY BIO

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based, 2seventy bio, a biotechnology company discovering and developing novel cancer therapies, has announced a strategic restructuring to optimize operations and reduce costs.

The restructuring will impact 40% of the company's workforce or 176 employees.

A company spokesperson noted, “The macro environment for oncology cell therapy companies and the near-term headwinds we have seen in our own business have led us to examine how we pursue our mission. Today we are taking hard but necessary steps to streamline our team and optimize our R&D approach and cost structure.”

According to Chief Operating Officer Chip Baird, “The difficult but necessary changes we are making to our workforce, our programs, and our cost structure reflect our commitment to advancing our pipeline and achieving value-creating milestones with existing cash."

"We expect today’s changes will preserve runway into at least 2026, and we will continue to focus on careful expense management and thoughtful capital allocation while staying true to our mission of driving programs forward for patients in need."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES

Lincolnshire, Ilinois-based Zebra Technologies, a manufacturer of barcode systems and other labeling and location software and hardware, has announced a reduction in force attributable to a chip shortage and slowdown in orders following a pandemic-related surge in demand for its products.

The reduction will impact 700 employees located in Lincolnshire, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2023.

According to a company statement, "Zebra has a track record of judiciously managing our operating expenses and investments with a long-term view. Our disciplined approach has enabled our long history of success, preparing us to succeed in challenging times. While we are facing a difficult and uncertain business environment, we believe these actions are needed to reprioritize and invest in parts of our business that will strengthen our business in the long run. Layoffs are necessary to realign our resources to focus on our most strategic growth opportunities."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?