PagerDuty CEO Jennifer Tejada faces backlash after writing ‘tone-deaf layoff email’

The CEO of San Francisco-based cloud computing company PagerDuty is coming under fire after she included an inspirational quote by black civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. while firing her co-workers.

Jennifer Tejada has been criticized for her insensitivity on social media after sending an email to employees announcing layoffs that included the quote.

In the email, Tejada announced that the company would be ‘refining’ its business structure by cutting 7 percent of its global workforce. 

‘We expect to finish the year strong – in fact, we have reaffirmed our guidance for FY23 today – and those results, combined with the refinements outlined above, put PagerDuty in a position of strength to successfully execute on our platform strategy regardless of what the market and the macroenvironment bring,’ Tejada stated. 

CEO of PagerDuty, Jennifer Tejada, who heads a cloud computing company, has been criticized on social media for sending an email announcing layoffs while also quoting MLK

CEO, Jennifer Tejada, ended her email to staff announcing layoffs with a quote from a sermon delivered by King, which was later included in the 1959 book The Measure of a Man

‘I am reminded in moments like this, of something Martin Luther King said, that ‘the ultimate measure of a [leader] is not where [they] stand in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where [they] stand in times of challenge and controversy,’ Tejada wrote. 

Tejada’s communication, veers between corporate-speak such as calling the layoffs ‘refinements’ coupled with optimistic comments about the ‘deeply talented individuals who #BringThemselves’ to work, which comes after a string of tech layoffs that have been criticized as lacking compassion and humanity. 

The 7 precent ‘refinement’ refers to the company firing 66 people out of the 950 it had employed a year ago. 

The reaction to use of the quote in the email came think and fast with one Twitter user calling it ‘the most tone-deaf layoff email’ they had seen.

‘The most tone-deaf layoff email I read so far … comes from PagerDuty CEO Jennifer Tejada. The email is very long, and feels like it was written by an AI that took all the phrases that people usually say, and put it one long email,’ wrote Gergely Orosz.

‘All time classic bad layoff announcement: CEO of PagerDuty opens with ‘Hi Dutonians,’ takes 370 words to get to the layoffs bit, continues for another *1250 words*, and ends with ‘I am reminded in moments like this, of something Martin Luther King said…’ stated Tom Gara

One Twitter user posted a screenshot of a Google search which showed that Tejada’s annual salary was $13.2 million

‘Did Pagerduty seriously decide it was a good idea to quote MLK in a press release where they are laying off 7% of their workforce?’ asked Pete Cheslock.

‘Maybe don’t quote MLK when firing 7% of your workforce?’ suggested Noah Chestnut.

‘Did Pagerduty seriously decide it was a good idea to quote MLK in a press release where they are laying off 7% of their workforce?’ asked Pete Cheslock.

‘Maybe don’t quote MLK when firing 7% of your workforce?’ suggested Noah Chestnut.

‘All time classic bad layoff announcement: CEO of PagerDuty opens with ‘Hi Dutonians,’ takes 370 words to get to the layoffs bit, continues for another *1250 words*, and ends with ‘I am reminded in moments like this, of something Martin Luther King said…’ stated Tom Gara.

Tejada’s annual salary of $13.2 million was also noted by some social media users.

The company had previously reported revenue of $94.2 million for the most recent quarter and a net loss of $32.8 million. 

Twitter users disbelief continued as they noted the clash in the tone of Tejada’s email and the values of MLK.

Twitter users disbelief continued as they noted the clash in the tone of Tejada’s email and the values of MLK.

‘Next time lay people off by Twitter and save even more time!’ suggested Paula Des.

‘Awww how inspiring & PC-esque lay offs, Classic Millenial tone deaf email,’ mocked Trent Zent.

‘Are you the lady that really had the never to quote MLK while you were firing 7 percent of your employees. Just curious why nobody said to you ‘Hey Jen, I would lose the MLK quote. The hundreds of people you just fired probably won’t appreciate that, or you. U tone deaf bonehead,” advised Keyser McSoze.

‘omg are you the woman who compared yourself to MLK’s vision of leadership in order to fire a bunch of your employees? thank you for your bravery and leadership! MLK definitely would’ve chosen profit over ppl too,’ mocked  Gabriel Kahn.