Businesses worldwide have been hit by massive lay-offs as a result of the economic downturn brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Multi-national corporations like LinkedIn notwithstanding.

960 employees laid off globally

LinkedIn, a California-based recruitment and networking service, announced on July 21 that it would be laying off 960 employees from its offices globally.

This number represents around six per cent of its global workforce, according to Reuters.

LinkedIn’s Chief Executive Ryan Roslansky said that employees affected belong to the sales and hiring divisions. Roslansky assured that these would be the "only layoffs [they] are planning".

Affected staff at LinkedIn will be informed by this week.

Those who have not yet been informed of the layoff would be able to keep their company-issued phones, laptops, and recently purchased equipment to help them work from home while making these career transitions, Roslansky said.

U.S. employees that have been retrenched would reportedly receive at least 10 weeks of severance pay as well a year's health insurance.

Some of the affected staff will also be offered newly-created roles in the company.

Sales team in Singapore affected

The Straits Times reported that Singapore is among the offices affected. However, the Singapore LinkedIn spokesperson did not reveal how many jobs would be cut, nor how many staff there are in the office here.

One LinkedIn employee shared what happened in a post on the website. He said it was unexpected for "80 per cent" of his team to be retrenched, despite an "amazing team performance through Covid-19".

The man's profile states that he has been working at LinkedIn for four years, with his previous position being an Account Executive under the Sales Solutions team.

Mothership has contacted LinkedIn for more information and will update the story when they reply.

Top photo from Ervin Yeo / FB