Uber to cut about 10% of global workforce

Uber is cutting about one in every 10 jobs worldwide as Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi seeks a simpler structure and faster decision-making at the ride-hailing company.

Uber employs roughly 34,000 people and operates in more than 70 countries, according to a recent filing with U.S. securities regulators. Khosrowshahi told employees that the company would reduce the size of its team by about 10% as part of “significant organisational changes.”

The plan will reduce management layers and clarify responsibility, the company said. Uber wants employees to spend more time building products and less time coordinating across its sprawling operations. Wedbush Securities estimated the cuts could save about $1.75 billion, which Uber could invest in growth areas.

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Today, we’re making a number of significant organisational changes across Uber. As a result, we will be reducing the size of our team by about 10 per cent.

The reorganization includes Uber’s delivery business. Restaurant, retail and direct-delivery units will be combined into teams organized at global, regional and country levels. The company also plans to concentrate jobs in key hubs, with global teams based mainly in New York and San Francisco. Only about 1% of employees will be allowed to work remotely going forward.

Uber said on Wednesday that it would close its businesses in Nigeria and Uganda after leaving Tanzania earlier this year. The company has expanded far beyond ride-hailing since its founding in 2009, including into food and retail delivery and short-distance courier services. Most drivers remain independent contractors rather than full-time employees, depending on local law, and many have complained about compensation. Uber shares listed in the United States rose more than 2.5% in midday trading.

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A leaner organisation will mean clearer ownership, faster decisions, and more time spent building rather than coordinating.