Block’s Zombie Staff Return: AI‑Powered Re‑Hire Party

At least four ex‑Block employees have risen from the layoff graveyard. Creative strategy lead Chane Rennie bragged on LinkedIn that he was back on the payroll a week after being shown the door, while design engineer Andrew Harvard called his exit “a temporary glitch” that was promptly patched.

A dose of internal lobbying helped fuel the comeback. Technical lead Richard Hesse, the lone survivor of a 40 % cull in his Square Online and Site Operations squad, pleaded with execs to resurrect his teammates. His relentless begging paid off, and a small band of colleagues was re‑hired.

The headline numbers remain bleak: Block’s headcount shrank from north of 10,000 to just under 6,000—a near‑50 % slash. Co‑founder Jack Dorsey blamed the purge on “structural and strategic” shifts in the company’s operating model.

Former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan christened the episode the inaugural “AI cut,” warning that anyone who can’t wrangle AI tools will be left in the dust. He pointed to the AI productivity paradox, where ever‑smaller crews are expected to crank out ever‑more output.

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