Zoho has pushed back against claims that it laid off 300 employees, clarifying that no full-time staff were affected and that its long-standing no-layoff approach remains unchanged.
The clarification follows a viral anonymous post on Blind, which alleged that hundreds of workers had been dismissed without notice. The post quickly gained traction, largely because of the company’s reputation for maintaining job stability over decades.
Responding to the claims, Zoho said the situation had been misrepresented. The company explained that the individuals referred to in the post were part of its internship programme, not full-time employees. It emphasised that internships are designed as temporary learning opportunities and do not automatically lead to permanent roles.
The company further noted that describing interns who were not absorbed into full-time positions as “laid off” is inaccurate. It reiterated that employment and internships are distinct, both in structure and expectation.
Zoho also shared details of its hiring pipeline to provide context. A portion of the current intern cohort has already received full-time offers, while others remain under evaluation. Candidates who meet performance benchmarks are typically offered roles, while the rest complete their internship tenure and explore opportunities elsewhere.
The episode has drawn attention due to Zoho’s consistent stance on avoiding layoffs, even during periods of economic uncertainty such as the pandemic and recent shifts in the technology sector. The company’s response underscores the need for clearer communication around these distinctions, especially as online narratives can quickly shape public perception.
