CEO who fired 900 people on Zoom just before Christmas wants his job back
cnn.com
August 14, 2026
4 min read
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49/100
Summary
Vishal Garg, the former CEO of Better Home & Finance, was fired on August 3 after previously laying off 900 employees via Zoom before the 2021 holiday season. Garg claims he was misled by his successor, Daniel Lewis, who expressed support for the company's strategy before taking his position.
Key Takeaways
- Vishal Garg was ousted as CEO of Better Home & Finance on August 3, 2026, after previously laying off 900 employees on Zoom in 2021.
- Better's market value dropped from $8 billion during the refinancing boom to $300 million due to a collapsed refi business and a disastrous SPAC merger.
- Garg claims that Better has tripled its loan volume and is on pace to achieve $200 million in sales for 2023 by leveraging AI to process mortgages more efficiently.
- Since Lewis took over as CEO, Better's stock has fallen 45%, prompting investors to urge Garg to reclaim his position.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- Despite the uproar over the Zoom firings, some commenters appreciate that remote layoffs were the only practical option for a largely remote workforce, arguing it was a reasonable decision.
- There’s recognition that the company still has a great product and growth potential, which some see as a silver lining amidst the turmoil.
Concerns
- The Zoom layoffs are seen as a lazy and hateful approach to a sensitive issue, with many believing that a more humane method was possible.
- Garg's reputation is irreparably damaged; commenters insist this incident will forever define him, overshadowing any future successes.
- Critics question the actual success of the company post-layoffs, suggesting that the firings may not have improved the situation and hinting at deeper issues.