Uber cutsThe group is reducing its workforce and preparing for the robotaxi challenge. The company announced the abolition about 3.300 spots, equivalent to 10% of global staff, as part of a profound reorganisation aimed at streamlining internal structures and concentrating investments on activities considered strategic.
The decision will not only affect the United States, but all countries in which the platform operatesThis is the largest reduction in headcount since May 2020, when the collapse in demand caused by the pandemic prompted Uber to eliminate 6.700 positions, nearly a quarter of its workforce at the time.
Uber cuts: fewer managers and leaner structures
The CEO announced the plan to the employees Dara Khosrowshahi, via an internal email. The CEO acknowledged that the rapid growth of recent years has made the organization more complex, multiplying hierarchical levels and slowing down decision-making processes. The goal is “make Uber simpler and faster, and create more capacity to invest in the future”According to Khosrowshahi, a more agile structure will allow for clearer accountability, faster decision-making, and greater resource allocation to product development.
The restructuring will reduce the 20% the number of managersSome executives will be reassigned to operational roles without direct reports, while non-managerial staff will also be cut. Uber also intends to nearly halve one- and two-person teams and eliminate positions seven or more levels below the CEO. Some core engineering and scientific research functions will also be consolidated, along with the three operating divisions that handle food delivery, retail, and services for other brands.
Uber cracks down on remote work
The the organization will also change geographic focus of the group. Uber will concentrate a greater share of its staff in its main operational centers, identifying New York and San Francisco as reference points for global activities. Smart working will also be restricted. Fully remote positions will be limited to approximately 1% of the workforceHowever, the company policy requiring office attendance three days a week will remain in effect. At the end of the renovation, the overall workforce is expected to fall to around 30.000 employees, returning to levels similar to those of 2021. At the end of last year, the company employed approximately 34.000 people worldwide.
Khosrowshahi clarified that the savings generated by the reorganization will be used to support priority projects. "A leaner organization will mean clearer responsibilities, faster decisions, and more time dedicated to construction rather than coordination. It will also generate savings that we intend to reinvest in growth, innovation, and the skills that will be most important in the coming years," the CEO explained.
The robotaxi challenge is changing Uber
Behind the reorganization there is above all the need to prepare for the spread of the autonomous vehicles, a technology destined to transform the ride-hailing market. Uber must defend its role as an intermediary between passengers and drivers while operators like Waymo and Tesla accelerate the development of robotaxis.
Waymo already offers its vehicles through Uber's app in Austin and Atlanta, but is also entering new markets without the platform's cooperation. The prospect of self-driving fleet companies reaching customers directly fuels fears that Uber could lose some of its market share.
To meet the growing competition, the company plans to invest over 10 billion dollars in robotaxis in the coming years. The strategy is to support companies developing autonomous driving systems and position Uber as the leading marketplace for driverless rides. Khosrowshahi, however, did not attribute the layoffs to artificial intelligence, unlike other tech companies.
The market welcomed the announcement, with the stock rising more than 2% before the opening of trading. However, the year-to-date performance remains negative: in the first nine months of 2026, Uber shares have lost nearly 8%.
