"While not disclosing any numbers, SAS spokesperson Shannon Heath said layoffs had been made in work areas focusing on site support and training. The cuts reflect adjustments SAS is making to its workforce environment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing rules which led to many workers moving to work-from-home."
https://www.wraltechwire.com/2021/03/16/sas-making-layoffs-in-some-work-groups-but-continues-to-hire-in-others/
Based on employee feedback, SAS will probably offer its people the opportunity to continue to work in a hybrid model with a few days WFH and a few days on campus if they are interested. With numerous cafés, buildings, classrooms and event spaces, the demand for these job functions will simply not be as high. All of these employees remained employed for a full year since the pandemic began even though the campuses were closed, all were working from home, no visitors were coming to events and no live events were being held across the industry. I’m hoping they will all find jobs as the economy opens back up.
The revenue numbers are terrible this year compared to last year, and last year was a terrible year compared to the year before. Schabenberger went to SingleStore, FWIW.
What about the "Data as Art" people? At least those other people accomplished something.
If you think about it - that’s not surprising at all. SAS doesn’t need as many folks for house keeping, for example, with less employees on campus.
Shannon Heath said approximately 100 positions affected. I've heard the real number is 200-300. People let go in housekeeping, travel, printing, scenics for live events, and other corporate services departments.