Uber is laying off approximately 3,300 employees, representing about 10% of its global workforce. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi announced that the restructuring is designed to make the company simpler and faster by removing organizational layers and merging teams.
The company aims to streamline management and increase efficiency to reallocate spending and invest billions into its ride-sharing, delivery, and robotaxi businesses. These investments are intended to help the company brace for rising competition in the autonomous vehicle sector.
This marks Uber's largest round of layoffs since May 2020, when the pandemic led to the loss of 6,700 jobs. In addition to the staff cuts, some small teams are being reduced by nearly half, and Uber is asking more employees to work from the office, permitting only about 1% of its workforce to continue working remotely.
Separately, Uber drivers have launched a European class action over an AI algorithm they described as soulless and scary.