Free coffee in Intel's offices has been reinstated as part of efforts to support employee morale, following its cancellation amid cost-cutting measures that included thousands of layoffs.
“While Intel is still grappling with cost issues, we recognize that small comforts play a vital role in our daily routines. We know this is a small step, but we hope it will significantly impact maintaining our workplace culture,” states a message reviewed by the Oregonian (via Business Insider).
However, free fruits that were previously part of the perks program will not be making a comeback.
For a decade, Intel was a leader in the tech industry, but several critical missteps have derailed its progress. The company played a significant role in the PC boom of the 1990s but missed the opportunity to secure a deal for developing and manufacturing chips for the iPhone. Additionally, in 2017, Intel chose not to acquire a stake in OpenAI (the startup that created ChatGPT and became a frontrunner in the modern AI race) and subsequently fell behind in developing processors necessary for training artificial intelligence.
This year, Intel has shifted its focus to cost-reduction strategies and announced plans to lay off over 15,000 employees as early as August. Last month, the company also distributed a presentation to employees informing them of cuts to certain expenses—specifically, reimbursement for internet, phone, or travel costs. Eventually, the restrictions were extended to fruits and coffee:
“Isn't this trivial? How much does one fruit cost per day?” exclaimed a disgruntled former Intel employee in an interview with Business Insider.
The crisis at Intel, in addition to layoffs, has prompted the company to consider separating its chip manufacturing and design departments, as well as halting the construction of some factories. There are also rumors of potential acquisitions by Qualcomm, and even by Apple and Samsung.
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