IAC Putting A Ring On Dating Site HowAboutWe

Looks like IAC is adding Brooklyn-based HowAboutWe as another notch in its dating site acquisition belt. It already owns Match.com, OkCupid and a majority stake in Tinder.

According to a letter obtained by Business Insider, founder Brian Schechter addressed employees about the acquisition, confirming that many HowAboutWe employees would be losing their jobs:

Indeed, we are still finalizing a deal and zero final decisions have been made. That a deal is even a possibility should remain completely confidential. I know this is a bumpy – and let’s face it – a weird moment but we should proceed in a manner that is really smart, graceful, and empowering for everyone.

A weird moment, indeed. HowAboutWe snatched up Nerve.com earlier this year to take on competition from IAC. However, some key employees had already started to leave earlier this month.

According to a staffer, Schechter and co-founder Aaron Schildkrout pulled aside a number of employees in closed door meetings on Thursday and Friday to let them know they could be let go. However, the founders also texted 3 employees that they were definitely keeping their jobs. That is until one of the three got a text asking them what their current salary was. Schechter allegedly recanted the offer to let that particular employee stay when the staffer reminded Schechter they’d recently received a raise.

Many were reportedly upset at the way the news has been handled thus far. Here’s the full email sent to Business Insider:

Subject: Quick touch base

Hi Everyone,

I got an email from someone in the media industry asking about “What’s happening with layoffs at HowAboutWe?” They specifically asked about the edit team.

If you get this question, it should be denied. It’s inaccurate. We have not laid anyone off.

Indeed, we are still finalizing a deal and zero final decisions have been made. That a deal is even a possibility should remain completely confidential, as well.

The company being in control of the message is the best thing for everyone to be well set up for next steps, and that means keeping things truly in confidence and not telling anyone about this exciting next step may at HowAboutWe, etc. [sic]

I know this is a bumpy — and let’s face it — a weird moment, but we should be sure that we proceed in a manner that is really smart, graceful and empowering for everyone

Thank you. Please don’t hesitate to reach to me with any questions or concerns. I’m available.

Brian