TripAdvisor shuts Boston and San Francisco offices

The coronavirus crisis is supposed to favor companies that can work remotely and have a large online presence. But that advantage doesn't extend to companies that are primarily involved in the tourism sector, as 900 employees of the company TripAdvisor found out this week. The company laid off roughly 25 percent of its total workforce, of which 600 were located in the United States, and it shut down its Boston office permanently. CEO and co-founder Steve Kaufer said the company would be furloughing workers, and those who continue working will be asked to take a 20 percent pay cut and work just four days per week for three months beginning in June. The San Francisco office of TripAdvisor will be shuttered as well. Staff that survives the cull will be asked to work remotely or at the company's headquarters outside Boston in Needham.


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