Reopening: One Step Forward, Two Back: The Information’s Tech Briefing

The rapid pace of reopening across parts of America, leading to spikes in Covid-19 infection rates, suggests we’re taking two steps back for every step forward. On the job front, in the tech industry, the picture is also mixed. The pandemic is still causing layoffs—Sonos, for instance, said this week it will cut 12% of its global workforce to save money. 

But some companies that furloughed workers are bringing them back. Sonder, a property startup that manages short-term stays in apartments, said today it has brought back some workers furloughed as part of cutbacks in March when travel halted. Sonder’s occupancy levels have risen to 75% from a low of 40% during the pandemic. Sonder even managed to raise a new round of funding at a slightly increased valuation.