Uber is cutting three thousand additional jobs, closing 45 offices worldwide as the company struggles through the pandemic period. The ride-hailing company has now reduced its workforce by 25%, making these layoffs one of the largest in the wake of the pandemic. The shutdown will affect offices including Ubers prominent Pier 70 office in San Francisco. Where it has been working on projects like self-driven cars and flying vehicles
The move is part of the company’s attempt to save costs in costs and deal with the economic impacts of the pandemic. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told staff in an email on Monday that Uber’s rides business is down by around 80%.
The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the entire economy over the past couple of months. Most companies are experiencing a precipitous drop as consumers continue to stay at home. One of the largest layoffs The silicon valley companies have recorded mass layoffs in the period. Besides Uber, Lyft and Airbnb have recorded mass layoffs. Lyft let go of 17% of its workforce last month and Airbnb laid off 25% of its staff earlier in May.
Weeks ago, Uber closed down its Eats closed down its business operations in eight markets including Egypt, Ukraine, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Honduras and Czech republic. However, the closure is pegged on stiff competition in said markets. That do not offer a clear route to become among the top online food delivery operator.
“Having learned my own personal lesson about the unpredictability of the world from the punch-in-the-gut called COVID-19. I will not make any claims with absolute certainty regarding our future,” Khosrowshahi wrote in the email.
He further added that the company is making hard choices to move forward and build again with confidence.
Along with cutting jobs, Uber is also shuttering offices and winding down some of its side projects. It’s closing roughly 45 offices worldwide. The company said Pier 70’s staff and projects will fold into Uber’s Mission Bay campus, which is yet to open. A
Along with that, Uber has also made management changes. Uber promoted Andrew Macdonald, who was head of global rides, to lead “mobility,” and Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, who was head of Uber Eats, to lead the delivery unit.