'Such a stupid waste of money': Spotify employees reportedly blast the company's lavish spending on parties, trips amid thousands of layoffs
Some current and former Spotify employees have reportedly slammed the tech giant for splurging on swanky parties and exclusive events despite announcing mass layoffs in order to cut down on costs.
Take Spotify’s “Intro Days” in Stockholm, for example — where the popular music streaming provider is headquartered. During these events, new hires are brought to the Swedish capital to network, hear from speakers and learn more about Spotify culture.
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However, one former employee described it as the company "spending tons of money flying people to Sweden to drink the Kool-Aid," according to Business Insider.
"You literally just sit in a room and listen to executives talk back-to-back for three days, and then there's a party at the end," another person told the publication. "It's just such a stupid waste of money."
In total, Business Insider says it spoke with 14 current and former employees about the extravagant parties thrown by the company. Each one asked to remain anonymous
Spotify laid off thousands of employees last year
Like many other tech giants, after a glut of hires during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spotify started cutting back by handing out pink slips to staffers.
In December, CEO Daniel Ek sent employees a note announcing the company’s third round of job cuts within a year — this time shrinking its workforce by 17%, or about 1,500 employees. Approximately 2,300 employees were laid off in 2023.
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"Economic growth has slowed dramatically and capital has become more expensive," Ek wrote, adding that “being lean is not just an option but a necessity.”
The announcement took place days after Spotify celebrated its annual Wrapped campaign with an exclusive, celebrity-packed party in London superclub, headlined by the likes of Sam Smith, Charli XCX and Chase & Status.
The music streamer says it will continue parties, events
A Spotify spokesperson told Business Insider the company would continue events such as Wrapped, Stockholm Intro Days and the Best New Artist Grammy party, since they’re "key to promoting artists, engaging listeners, encouraging collaboration amongst employees and highlighting our services."
However, the company did not comment on exactly how much it shells out on these extravagant events.
The latest edition of Spotifest — an exclusive music festival for company employees — took place at The Brooklyn Mirage in New York last August, according to Business Insider, despite Ek calling for more moves to “control costs” earlier in the year.
The lavish event featured headliners Diplo and T-Pain, acrobats and drag performers, reports Business Insider. Attractions also included a barbershop, photo booths and a temporary-tattoo studio.
It took place two months after the company slashed 200 jobs.
"It was surprising to me that they stated they're on a cost-cutting drive but then continued spending," one former employee said, per Business Insider. Another person, who claimed to deal with budgets, apparently tried to broach the issue of the company’s spending habits, but their concerns were brushed aside.
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