Has Elon Musk Converted Twitter Offices Into Staff Bedrooms? San Francisco Officials Investigate
San Francisco officials are investigating Twitter amid reports that the company converted offices into employee bedrooms.
Forbes first reported on the story, noting that employees "were greeted by modest bedrooms featuring unmade mattresses, drab curtains and giant conference-room telepresence monitors" on Monday morning. There are roughly four to eight sleeping rooms per floor at the company's San Francisco headquarters, according to reports.
An employee told Forbes that there was no announcement from Musk about the bedroom conversions.
"It's yet another unspoken sign of disrespect. There is no discussion. Just like, beds showed up," the source said.
The San Francisco Department of Buildings Inspection was alerted of the space changes and has opened an investigation into the building.
"We need to make sure the building is being used as intended. There are different building code requirements for residential buildings, including those being used for short-term stays. These codes make sure people are using spaces safely," the department's communications director, Patrick Hannan, said in a press statement.
Musk responded by diverting the argument towards fentanyl in a tweet mocking the department and the mayor.
"So city of SF attacks companies providing beds for tired employees instead of making sure kids are safe from fentanyl. Where are your priorities, @LondonBreed?" Musk posted. He added a link to a San Francisco Chronicle article about a child who suffered an accidental fentanyl overdose at a playground in the city.
Since taking over the social media platform in October, Musk has made several cost-cutting moves, including laying off thousands of employees.
He issued an ultimatum to employees in November to commit to "hardcore" "Twitter 2.0" or resign with severance.
Critics argue that the newly installed beds are an extension of this intense business model.
On Nov. 2, an employee tweeted a photo of their manager sleeping in a sleeping bag in her office with the caption "When you need something from your boss at elon Twitter."
"Everyone in San Francisco deserves a safe place to live, work, play and sleep and no one is above the law," Hannan told the press.
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