Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow has defended his decision to fire the company’s entire human resources team, saying it helped remove unnecessary “problems” and made the organisation more efficient.
Breslow said traditional HR systems were slowing things down with extra processes and approvals. According to him, removing the department reduced internal friction and helped teams communicate and work faster.
He claimed that many issues the company previously faced “disappeared” after the HR team was removed, suggesting smoother day-to-day operations without the function in place.
The decision has sparked strong debate in the tech and business world. Supporters say it reflects a growing startup trend of cutting layers of management and simplifying structures to move faster.
Critics argue that HR plays an important role in handling hiring, employee support, conflict resolution, and legal compliance. They warn that removing it completely could create risks for both employees and the company.
Despite the criticism, Breslow says the goal was to build a more direct and efficient workplace, where teams can operate without unnecessary bureaucracy.