Uber has announced it will cut approximately 10% of its global workforce, eliminating around 3,300 jobs, in what marks the company's largest round of layoffs since the pandemic. The move is part of a broader restructuring aimed at removing management layers, consolidating small teams, and bringing more employees back into offices.
Chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi told staff on Wednesday that the savings from the cuts would be reinvested into growth areas, including autonomous rides, and to improve support for drivers, couriers, and merchants. “A leaner organisation will mean clearer ownership, faster decisions, and more time spent building rather than coordinating,” he said.
The company, which had roughly 34,000 employees at the end of 2025, according to its latest annual report, is focusing the job reductions on corporate roles, particularly those involved in cross-team coordination. Uber also plans to cut the number of management layers by 20%, with some managers moving into non-management positions rather than leaving entirely.
European impact unclear
Uber has not disclosed how many jobs will be affected in Europe, including the UK, and declined to comment on which offices might be impacted. The company does not publish regional employee breakdowns, leaving uncertainty for workers across the continent. Khosrowshahi said affected employees have been informed, except in countries where local labour laws require consultation processes before final decisions are made. In several European nations, the exact number of cuts may only become clear after those statutory consultations conclude.
Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, noted that Uber is racing against Alphabet-owned Waymo and Tesla in the robotaxi market while also facing stiff competition in food delivery. She pointed to Uber's planned takeover of Berlin-based Delivery Hero, agreed in July, as a potential boost for its delivery business, though she added that its US operations need improvement after losing ground to DoorDash.
“Uber hopes its large existing customer base can give it the edge in its robotaxi drive and has received permits from Transport for London to launch a commercial trial with UK partner Wayve,” Hewson said.
The restructuring also involves merging three delivery operations teams—covering restaurants, retail, and direct deliveries—into combined global, regional, and country-level units. The company said running them separately had led to duplicated work and slower decision-making. Additionally, Uber is consolidating its Core Services Engineering and Science teams.
These cuts apply to Uber employees, not to the drivers and couriers who are generally classified as independent contractors.
Office and remote work changes
Uber also plans to concentrate its workforce in fewer main offices. Global teams will be based primarily in New York and San Francisco, while regional, national, and technology teams will operate from selected hubs. Most employees who currently work fully remotely will be required to relocate to an office, with only about 1% of the workforce remaining fully remote. The company will also enforce its existing hybrid-working policy more strictly, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week.
In a separate development on Wednesday, Uber announced it would close its operations in Nigeria and Uganda, following its exit from Tanzania earlier this year. These moves reflect a broader strategic focus on core markets and profitability.
Founded in 2009, Uber has grown from a ride-hailing platform into a diversified business offering food and retail delivery and courier services. The company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019 and had a market value of about $157bn (€135bn) based on its share price on Thursday.
The layoffs come amid a wider trend of tech companies streamlining operations to invest in emerging technologies. For Europe, the impact will be felt as Uber's restructuring unfolds, particularly in countries with strong labour protections that may slow the process. As the company pivots toward autonomous vehicles, its European operations—including the London trial with Wayve—will be closely watched.
