After EV startup Canoo announced furloughs of 82 employees this week, the remaining employees were given “mandatory unpaid leave” via email, and at the end of the day on Friday, they were removed from the company’s systems, TechCrunch reports. He was informed that he would be locked out. The email, seen by TechCrunch, reportedly stated that the hiatus would last until at least the end of the year. Canoe announced Wednesday that it was idling its Oklahoma plant “while we work to finalize the capital needed to proceed with operations.”
Over the past year, Kanu has faced financial difficulties, lawsuits and multiple executive resignations. The company previously announced it would furlough 30 employees this fall alone. Canoo’s announcement Wednesday said the company is currently in “advanced discussions with various sources of capital.” “While we regret having to furlough employees, especially during the holidays, we have no other choice at this time. We look forward to bringing them back to work soon,” Kanu said in a statement about the layoffs. ”
