Workers at Bethesda's Rockville headquarters have staged a protest featuring a giant inflatable rat and numerous red flags, each representing a laid-off employee. This demonstration occurred as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly visited the studio.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) organized the protest, which coincided with Sharma's visit and precedes larger rallies planned across the US and Canada on August 18th. These events aim to support Xbox workers facing potential job losses, with 1600 layoffs anticipated over the next year, adding to the 1600 already implemented.
OneBGS-CWA member Nathan Hahn explained the protest's intent: "We heard that Microsoft leadership was coming to our office this week, and decided to make our presence visible at the office to show how our developers have been impacted by these devastating layoffs." Initially, attempts to display posters facing outward from workspaces were reportedly blocked by management, leading to the use of balloons inside cubicles. A separate group of laid-off developers planted the red flags outside, serving as a visible tally of job cuts.
Hahn stated that these actions are intended not only to ensure fair treatment for affected Xbox developers and testers but also to signal that such widespread layoffs must cease. He emphasized that if leadership lacks the