Byju's laying off 500 employees; sales, tuition centres to be impacted: Sources

Amid a financial crunch, the embattled Byju's is laying off about 500 employees, including teachers and from sales, said sources. Tuition centres are also expected to be impacted.

These layoffs are happening in the troubled edtech firm, even as it is in the final stages of business restructuring to streamline operations.

The layoffs began 15-20 days ago, sources said, adding that it would impact 500 employees. They, however, pointed out that the edtech player might not have to resort to further rationalisation, except in the 'worst case scenario'.

The latest round of job cuts will impact sales functions, teachers and some tuition centres.

No official word

There was no official word from Byju's, which has been embroiled in a legal dispute with some of its investors, with regard to the layoffs.

Few staff members were purportedly communicated about the development over the phone.

When contacted, Byju's spokesperson, in an email response, said, "We are in the final stages of a business restructuring exercise announced in October 2023 to simplify operating structures, reduce the cost base, and better cash flow management".

"As you are also aware, we are going through an extraordinary situation in the company because of the ongoing litigation with four foreign investors, where every employee and the ecosystem is going through tremendous stress, given the present circumstances," the spokesperson said.

Unfortunate situation

Byju's said that it regrets the "unfortunate situation" the company has been forced into.

"Still, it is something that we will put behind us soon with majority investor support for the US$ 200 million rights issue. We request everyone’s understanding of the individual and collective stress on the system, which might be prompting some unforeseen situations for the departing employees," Byju's spokesperson said.

Byju's had earlier indicated that the business rehaul exercise would impact nearly 4,500 people, and subsequently in October and November of 2023, as many as 2,500-3,000 people were laid off.

Considering that nearly 3,000-3,500 people have been affected by layoffs so far, it still leaves the possibility for further retrenchment of 1,000-1,500 people.

Delay in salaries

Byju's recently informed its employees that there will be a delay in the disbursement of March salaries.

The management in a communication to employees had blamed the situation on an interim order obtained by "a few misguided foreign investors" in late February, which "restricted usage of the funds raised through the successful rights issue".

Byju's had also sought to assure staff that it is following a parallel line of credit to ensure that employees get their salaries by April 8.

Move to oust founders

A clutch of investors of Byju’s had filed an oppression and mismanagement suit against the company management before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), seeking to oust the founders, including CEO Byju Raveendran, and appoint a new board.

Earlier, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Bengaluru Bench declined to grant a stay on the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) called by 'Think and Learn', owner of the Byju's brand, on March 29. The EGM was called to hike the authorised share capital of the embattled edtech firm, following the recent USD 200 million rights issue.

The company had closed the US$ 200 million rights issue in February at a 99 per cent lower valuation compared to its peak enterprise value of USD 22 billion.

Byju's downward slide

The once-storied edtech startup, Byju's rose to dizzying heights before facing a slew of challenges.

While the return of students to physical classes post-pandemic and the recent acquisition of Aakash put Byju's under a financial strain, the edtech firm in the last one year suffered other setbacks too, including its auditor resigning, lenders beginning bankruptcy proceedings against a holding company and a US lawsuit disputing the terms and repayment of a loan.

(With inputs from agencies)