Mozilla Foundation Implements Significant Workforce Reductions
The Mozilla Foundation has announced a substantial reduction in its workforce, cutting 30 percent of its staff. This decision will lead to the complete dissolution of the nonprofit’s advocacy and global programs divisions, as detailed in an internal communication from Executive Director Nabiha Syed. The news was first reported by TechCrunch, with Mozilla confirming these layoffs in statements to both TechCrunch and Engadget.
Reasons Behind the Restructuring
“The Mozilla Foundation is undergoing a reorganization aimed at enhancing our agility and impact as we strive for a more open and equitable technological future,” stated Brandon Borrman, Vice President of Communications at Mozilla. “Regrettably, this means discontinuing some historical initiatives and eliminating related positions to sharpen our focus moving forward.”
Commitment to Advocacy Remains Strong
Despite the closure of its standalone advocacy division, Mozilla has reiterated its dedication to advocacy work. “We want to clarify that this restructuring does not signify an abandonment of advocacy; rather, it remains a core aspect of the Mozilla Foundation’s mission,” Bowman added in further remarks.
The Structure of Mozilla Organizations
The Mozilla Foundation operates as a nonprofit entity under the larger umbrella that includes the for-profit arm known as Mozilla Corporation, which oversees development for the Firefox browser. Earlier this year in February, it was reported that approximately 60 employees would be laid off primarily from product development teams.
Latest Update on Staff Changes
Update: November 5, 2024 - 4:56 PM ET: This article has been revised with additional comments from representatives at Mozilla.