StartupTalky

Tag: Layoffs

  • PwC Lays Off 1,500 Staff and 60 Partners in Middle East Amid Saudi Arabia Dispute

    About 60 partners and 1,500 employees were laid off by PwC’s Middle East division as the Big Four accounting firm’s expansion in the region is being severely slowed by a dispute with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

    According to various media reports, the business started to reduce the number of positions in February after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund placed a harsh one-year restriction on new consulting contracts for PwC. Reports further stated that this made a larger decline in work for consultancies in the kingdom worse as Riyadh reassesses its massive expenditures over the previous ten years and reprioritises initiatives that had benefited western consulting firms.

    PwC Reorganising its Operations in Middle East Region

    As per media reports citing internal sources, PwC has already started to reduce positions and evaluate performance in the area. According to a media report, PwC’s leadership started figuring out how to cover a potential “large” income deficit in the company’s most recent fiscal year and the following one after the PIF, a significant client, put the firm on “the naughty step”. There is also a change in leadership in the region.

    According to a staff-wide email written on September 19 by PwC UK leader Marco Amitrano, Laura Hinton, managing partner, will take over the Middle East business in October, working alongside Hani Ashkar, the company’s current senior partner. A person knowledgeable on the leadership changes, however, stated that Hinton is anticipated to become the only senior partner after a year.

    The action was taken five months after the PIF ban directly led to the resignation of two top leaders. Massive PIF projects, such as Neom, a futuristic $500 billion development along the Red Sea coast, featured PwC as one of its advisors. The restriction, however, was the consequence of “friction and angst” prompted by the accounting firm’s desire to hire Neom’s top internal audit officer and a reluctance to take on audit work that would interfere with more lucrative consulting contracts, according to persons familiar with those events.

    Revenue growth at PwC’s Middle East division, which is controlled by the UK firm and has been its success story for the past three years, fell to 0.4% in the year to June 2025 from 26% in the previous 12 months, according to figures released recently.

    PwC’s Layoffs Targeted Consulting Roles in Middle East Region

    Partners and employees engaged to work on “transformational” projects have been especially affected by the cuts, which have mostly targeted consulting positions in the firm’s Middle East division.

    Media reports also mentioned that PwC had about 11,000 employees and 500 partners in the region at the end of its most recent fiscal year, most of whom were in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

    The region’s headcount has remained relatively stable despite the reductions, thanks to fresh recruitment in sectors where customer demand is still high. The firm promoted 62 new partners in June and consistently recruits a lot of lower-level employees. PwC still has plans to expand in the Middle East, they added.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund
    (PIF) imposed a one-year ban on new consulting contracts with PwC.

    •PwC’s revenue growth in Middle East
    fell to 0.4% in FY25, down from 26% in FY24.

    •Laura Hinton to take over PwC Middle
    East in October, succeeding Hani Ashkar over time.

    •Ban followed PwC’s attempt to hire
    Neom’s internal audit officer and reluctance on audit work.

  • Microsoft Mandates 3 Days Office Attendance, Non-Compliance May Risk Jobs

    With an ultimatum to staff members, Microsoft is formally ending its period of flexible remote work: work from the office at least three days a week or risk having their career options restricted. With effect starting in February 2026, the Redmond giant’s new policy marks a significant departure from its flexibility during the pandemic. In an internal memo, Chief People Officer Amy Coleman stated that the mandate begins with employees in the Seattle region who live within 50 miles of Microsoft offices.

    As the organisation places a greater focus on face-to-face collaboration for career advancement, employees who don’t comply may find themselves at a disadvantage. Coleman suggested that distant workers might find it difficult to prove their worth.

    “We’ve looked at how our teams work best, and the data is clear: when people work together in person more often, they thrive—they are more energised and empowered, and they deliver stronger results,” Coleman said.

    Microsoft Focusing on Employee Performance

    The policy is part of Microsoft’s larger effort to enhance employee performance, which has included the recent firing of thousands of people who were thought to be underperforming and the implementation of accelerated improvement programmes aimed at firing underperforming employees. This situation implies that workers who defy the office directive can be subject to closer scrutiny during assessments.

    The Puget Sound region will be the initial phase of the deployment, followed by other US locales and, in 2026, worldwide operations. Although the requirements for approval are still unknown, employees have until September 19 to request exceptions.

    Microsoft Employees Need to Come Out of WFH Culture

    Coleman underlined that Microsoft’s current objective, the creation of AI products, necessitates intelligent individuals collaborating to solve difficult challenges.

    This wording suggests that remote workers might not be able to participate in high-profile projects that are essential for advancing their careers. Due to client needs, some positions, such as field marketing, consulting, and account management, will be exempt. The message is obvious for the majority of workers, though: accept the return to the office or risk being left out of Microsoft’s expansion plans.

    Microsoft Recent Layoff

    Microsoft revealed plans to reduce its staff by 3% earlier this year in February. This layoff effort will impact about 6,000 employees across all teams and levels. Microsoft said in a statement to CNBC that it is still making the organisational adjustments required to put the business in the best possible position for success in a changing market.

    Despite Microsoft’s better-than-expected quarterly net profitability of $25.8 billion, the layoffs nonetheless occurred. While cutting expenses elsewhere to protect profit margins, Big Tech has been investing substantially in AI because they see the new technology as a significant growth engine. In an effort to reduce expenses and give AI top priority, Google has also let go of hundreds of workers in the last 12 months.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Policy begins with Seattle region
    employees living within 50 miles of offices.

    •Non-compliance may limit career
    growth and project opportunities.

    •Chief People Officer Amy Coleman:
    in-person work boosts collaboration, energy, and results.

    •Employees can request exceptions
    until September 19, 2025.

  • Agoda Cuts Customer Support Jobs as Employees Criticize Severance Packages

    In an effort to streamline its operations, online travel agency Agoda announced on September 17 that it has cut off its customer service representatives in China, Singapore, and Hungary. According to a representative for Agoda, the firm has been phasing out customer service positions in its Shanghai, Singapore, and Budapest offices while adding new positions in other regions.

    As it grows its business, this move aims to consolidate Agoda’s customer service teams in places where it has the greatest operational flexibility and expertise. “The layoffs were held ‘unannounced’ during a closed town hall on August 4 and primarily affected customer experience departments,” an anonymous employee from one of the retrenched departments told CNA. The impacted positions, which included regional managers and customer specialists, were a component of Agoda’s multilingual support teams that answered consumer questions.

    Agoda Facing Criticism Over Severance Agreement

    The business is also under investigation for allegedly having a severance agreement that was presented to Singaporean media and told impacted workers not to report the incident to regulatory bodies, trade unions, or government agencies. Additionally, it barred them from bringing claims, mediation requests, or other legal actions against the business in connection with their employment or departure.

    The memo states that workers who violate these conditions would lose their severance benefits and that any money they get must be sent back to Agoda “in full”. The company ‘continues to obey relevant local rules’ and is dedicated to keeping a strong local presence in Singapore, Agoda responded.

     According to a representative for Agoda, affected workers received all the assistance they needed during the changeover, in accordance with industry norms. Employees had the freedom to contact local authorities or look for other legal options during this time. Although it’s yet unknown how many workers were impacted, several reports indicate that Agoda’s Singapore office lost at least 50 jobs.

    Agoda Satisfying Local Work Quota

    Agoda allegedly told employees in many town halls that they were hired “mainly to satisfy the local workforce quota” so that the company could hire more foreigners in Singapore, according to a CNA investigation. Companies are only able to get a certain number of work visas for foreign workers under Singaporean legislation, which is determined by how many local workers they hired in the previous three months.

    The impacted worker informed CNA that they were “disappointed” with Agoda’s choice and that the terms of their employment contract were meant to keep them silent “to avoid causing further bad PR. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore has declared that it is taking the situation seriously and will look into the purported severance arrangement.

     According to a statement from the ministry, it is improper for employers to impose clauses that prevent or discourage workers from contacting the authorities in any circumstance, as this goes against the principles of ethical and responsible employment practices.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Layoffs were carried out unannounced
    during an August 4 town hall, mainly affecting multilingual support teams.

    •Employees allege severance terms
    barred them from reporting to authorities, unions, or pursuing legal action.

    •Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower
    (MOM) is investigating claims of restrictive clauses in severance agreements.

    •Ex-staff allege they were hired
    mainly to satisfy Singapore’s local workforce quota for foreign hiring.

  • Ford to Slash 1,000 Jobs at German EV Plant as Electric Car Demand Falls Short of Forecasts

    On September 15, Ford Motor Company declared that it would lay off up to 1,000 workers at its Cologne, Germany, electric vehicle production. According to the firm, the decision was made because battery-powered car sales are falling short of projections.

     According to an AP story, the automaker clarified that it will use buyout packages and voluntary departures to try to lessen the impact on workers. Additionally, production will be reduced at the Cologne facility that manufactures the electric Explorer SUV. The facility will switch from two daily shifts to one starting in January.

    Ford: Weak Electric Vehicle Demand in Europe

    EV sales have not increased as rapidly as many automakers had anticipated, despite significant investment. According to the company’s official statement, the demand for electric vehicles in Europe is much lower than what the industry had predicted. This round of layoffs comes after Ford’s November 2024 announcement of its reorganisation plan.

    The corporation announced at the time that it will eliminate roughly 4,000 jobs across Europe and the UK, with 2,900 of those positions being in Germany. Prior to an agreement with the IG Metall union that guaranteed employment for almost 10,000 workers at the Cologne facility until 2032, workers had gone on strike earlier this year, according to news agency AFP.

    About $2 billion (2.3 billion euros) has already been spent by Ford to update the Cologne facility for the manufacture of electric vehicles. Sales momentum has been lower than anticipated, despite the fact that the modifications were done in anticipation of increased demand for low-emission automobiles.

    Why Electric Vehicle Demand is Not Picking up in Europe?

    In Europe, EV adoption has been hampered by high initial costs and a dearth of charging points. The elimination of purchase subsidies in Germany is another factor that has further hindered growth.

    Through July of this year, electric vehicles made up 15.6% of the European market, up from 12.5% the previous year. But the growth hasn’t been as rapid as anticipated. In the first seven months of the year, Ford sold 260,000 cars of all kinds, a slight 0.7% rise. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, its market share stuck at 3.3%.

    India’s EV Market: A Contrast to Europe

    The electric vehicle (EV) market in India is expanding quickly thanks to government subsidies, growing environmental awareness, and technology breakthroughs. India hopes to dramatically boost EV adoption through programs like the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, transforming its transport system in the direction of sustainability and innovation.

    By 2030, India wants to increase the percentage of sales of electric vehicles (EVs) to 30% for private automobiles, 70% for commercial vehicles, 40% for buses, and 80% for two- and three-wheelers. By 2030, there will be 80 million EVs on Indian roadways, which is an ambitious goal.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Production of electric Explorer SUV
    reduced; plant to move from two shifts to one in January 2026.

    •Layoffs to be managed via buyouts and
    voluntary exits to soften impact.

    •Ford cites EV demand in Europe
    falling short of industry forecasts despite heavy investments.

    •$2 billion invested in upgrading
    Cologne facility for EV production, but sales momentum lagging.

  • Elon Musk’s xAI Lays Off 500 Employees Amid Grok AI Training Cutbacks

    Recently, Elon Musk’s xAI caused a stir by reorganising its team in a big way, which is changing how it develops AI. About 500 workers were let go by the corporation on the evening of September 12, 2025, from the data annotation team, which was its largest division.

    These employees, referred to as generalist AI tutors, played a key role in training xAI’s chatbot Grok by contextualising and labelling the raw data required to educate the AI on how to comprehend the outside world. Approximately one-third of that division’s 1,500 members are represented by this transfer.

    The choice was made suddenly. Late Friday, employees received emails informing them of the layoffs. They were informed that they would receive payment until the conclusion of their contracts or, at the latest, November 30. However, they lost access to Slack and other company tools and communication platforms right away.

    Who Was Affected by the Layoffs?

    Notably, certain senior members of the human data management team, who had played a key role in Grok’s development, were among the layoffs. This crew typically made between $35 and $65 per hour. As part of a strategic move away from generalist positions, xAI is laying off employees in order to hire “specialist AI tutors” with domain-specific knowledge in fields including STEM, coding, finance, law, and even odd categories like Grok personality experts and “shitposters and doomscrollers.”

    This workforce of specialised tutors will grow tenfold, according to xAI’s ambitions. This reorganisation comes after Grok has faced persistent difficulties, such as contentious AI behaviour and unapproved system prompt changes.

    By emphasising higher-quality inputs from specialised tutors rather than a sizable staff of generalist annotators, xAI seeks to improve Grok’s dependability and transparency. xAI maintains that, in spite of the layoffs, it is not cutting back but rather prioritising its efforts with more qualified staff in order to advance Grok’s development.

    Why Is xAI Replacing Generalists with Specialists?

    A strategic shift is the main cause of this significant staff reduction. Employing specialised AI tutors with specialised knowledge is replacing generalist positions in xAI. Deep expertise in STEM subjects, coding, economics, law, and even more unusual sectors like Grok’s personality and behaviour analysis are anticipated of the new candidates. As part of this specialised expansion, the corporation is surprisingly also searching for “shitposters and doomscrollers”.

    This reorganisation takes place as Grok faces increasing difficulties. Earlier, the AI chatbot garnered media attention due to contentious results and problems with its training mechanism. According to reports, tests were administered to employees before the layoffs in order to assess their abilities and suitability for the new approach.

    These assessments addressed a wide range of topics, including Grok’s personality qualities, content safety procedures, and technical STEM expertise. Diego Pasini, a new team leader presently on leave from the Wharton School of Business, spearheaded the initiative, raising concerns about his leadership background inside the restructured teams. The overarching objective of xAI seems to be rather clear: increasing the quality and dependability of Grok’s AI by creating a smaller, more skilled staff.

    Quick Shots

    •Layoffs affect one-third of the division’s 1,500
    employees.

    •Employees were generalist AI tutors who trained
    Grok through data labeling.

    •Pay scale ranged between $35–$65 per hour for these
    roles.

    •Workers received sudden layoff emails; access to
    tools revoked immediately.

  • Real Money Gaming Ban Forces Head Digital Works (A23 Parent) to Lay Off 500 Staff

    The parent company of online gaming platform A23, Head Digital Works, is cutting off over 500 workers, following in the footsteps of MPL, PokerBaazi, and Games24x7. According to Storyboard18, the company is keeping about 200 workers while laying off roughly two-thirds of its workforce. This declaration was delivered by Head Digital Works at a town hall meeting on 5 September.

    Head Digital Works CEO Siddharth Sharma told media outlets in a statement that the company would give affected employees severance pay. According to Sharma, Head Digital Works’ employees have been essential to the company’s expansion, and the company carefully considered its options before deciding to let go of a sizable portion of its workforce. The business will make sure that this shift is managed responsibly, offering people affected significant support and severance, and the brand will continue to be appreciative of their contributions.

    Brand Exploring New Business Model for Future Growth

    Sharma stated that the company is now examining several business models for its future while outlining its intentions for future expansion. “We are certain that a balanced framework will develop over time, and we are still dedicated to creating a robust future and investigating new prospects for the business, even though recent legislative developments made this action necessary,” Sharma stated.

    The company’s real money gaming (RMG) business has abruptly shut down due to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which was signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu on August 22. In the Karnataka High Court, Head Digital Works has contested the act that outlawed RMG.

    Head Digital Works, which was founded in 2005, claimed to have over 70 million users and provided a number of real money games, including A23 Rummy, A23 Poker, and Cricket.com. However, following the Online Gaming Bill’s passage in Parliament, it was forced to stop offering real money games.

    Industry-Wide Impact: MPL, PokerBaazi, Games24x7, and More

    The new act has stopped the RMG business as a whole, not just Head Digital Works. Startups are switching to new models and firing staff in order to adapt to the new business reality after closing their real money games. Games24x7 has begun cutting staff, while Mobile Premier League intends to lay off over 60% of its employees in India.

    Moonshine Technology, which ran PokerBaazi and was backed by Nazara Technologies, has also begun firing staff members. Others, such as Dream Sports, the parent company of Dream11, have refocused on growing FanCode, their sports streaming service, and looking for opportunities in the AI market. Now offering its real money games in other countries like the US, WinZO has ventured into the microdrama space.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Layoffs announced at a town hall on
    September 5, 2025.

    •Ban on real money gaming (RMG) under
    the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

    •Employees will receive severance
    packages and transition support.

    •Company exploring new business models
    for future growth despite RMG ban.

  • Salesforce Cuts 4,000 Customer Support Roles Amid AI Push, Confirms Marc Benioff

    As AI replaces customer service positions, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff eliminates 4,000 jobs. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently revealed that 4,000 customer service representatives would be let go, bringing the total number of support people down from 9,000 to about 5,000, an almost 45% reduction.

    Why Salesforce Cut 4,000 Jobs?

    The move comes as AI agents increasingly manage routine customer interactions and tackle a backlog of more than 100 million uncalled sales leads that has accumulated over 26 years, according to a Fortune interview with Benioff. This development underlines how customer service positions are becoming increasingly vulnerable to automation.

    AI vs. Human Workforce: What’s Changing?

    About 50% of all client discussions are now handled by the company’s AI-human collaboration system. Human agents may now concentrate on more complex or exceptional instances since routine duties like responding to frequently asked questions, recording client contacts, and following up on leads are becoming more and more automated.

    Despite Benioff’s long-standing emphasis that AI would complement human workers rather than replace them, this employment drop shows that jobs involving repetitive tasks are most vulnerable to automation. Approximately 5% of Salesforce’s workforce, which as of January 2025 had over 76,000 employees, will be laid off.

    Industries at Risk Beyond Salesforce

    This trend indicates wider hazards for customer service representatives in sectors where regular, process-driven jobs predominate, not just Salesforce. As AI technologies become more accurate and efficient, comparable changes may occur in the banking, e-commerce, telecom, and IT support sectors. Long seen as entry-level or stable jobs, customer service positions are now more vulnerable to disruption from automation.

    Why AI Cannot Fully Replace Humans?

    Even with automation, human control is still very important. Similar to hand-off procedures in other AI-driven processes, such as self-driving technology, Salesforce’s AI system steps in when situations call for judgement, accuracy, or nuance. Only some tasks are safe from automation, according to this approach, which guarantees that AI increases productivity without completely eliminating the need for human expertise.

    How Workers Can Stay Relevant in an AI-Driven Economy?

    A broader trend in the business sector is reflected in Salesforce’s recent personnel changes: AI is changing job structures and drawing a line between ordinary and difficult roles. At the heart of this change are customer service representatives, who run a greater risk of being laid off if their jobs mostly require repeated duties. Adaptability, ongoing skill improvement, and the capacity to work well with AI technology are now necessary in the evolving nature of work.

    This moment indicates that getting ready for an AI-driven workplace is no longer optional—it is necessary for career sustainability for millions of workers in customer-facing roles. The use of AI in customer service emphasises how crucial it is for workers in vulnerable positions to upgrade their skills. Problem-solving, complicated query handling, critical thinking, and AI supervision skills are becoming increasingly important.

    While workers who can collaborate with AI systems to handle more complex jobs are better positioned for career resilience, those who only concentrate on repeated interactions may find their chances diminish.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Marc Benioff confirms 4,000 customer
    support job cuts.

    •Nearly 45% reduction in support staff
    as AI agents take over routine tasks.

    •AI now handles 50% of client
    interactions and manages a 100M+ sales lead backlog.

    •Customer service jobs increasingly
    vulnerable if focused on repetitive tasks.

  • MPL to Layoff 60% Staff as India’s Ban on Paid Online Games Hits Revenue

    The Mobile Premier League (MPL), one of the largest gaming businesses in India, has announced significant employment layoffs as a result of the country’s decision to ban paid online games.

    MPL to Lay Off 60% Staff as India Bans Paid Online Games

    Reuters reports that the Bengaluru-based startup will lay off roughly 300 employees, or 60% of its India workforce, because the new rule eliminates revenue from its primary fantasy and card gaming business. The government imposed a statewide ban on online paid games earlier this month, citing the potential for addiction and monetary losses, especially among young players.

    The action has immediately altered the trajectory of the Indian online gaming market, which was predicted to reach $3.6 billion by 2029. Apps that offered poker, rummy, and fantasy cricket—formats that had become more and more popular in recent years—were forced to close.

    CEO Sai Srinivas’ Email to Employees

    MPL co-founder and CEO Sai Srinivas stated the company had no other option in an email sent to staff on August 31. The company has made the painful decision to drastically reduce the size of its India team. According to the email, 50% of M-League’s revenue came from India, and this shift would imply that the company would not be generating any income from that country going forward.

    Several areas, including marketing, operations, engineering, legal, and finance, will experience job losses. Although he did not provide specifics in his note, Srinivas also stated that MPL will support staff members during the changeover.

    Impact on Fantasy Cricket, Poker, and Rummy

    According to Pitchbook data, MPL, which was supported by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), was valued at $2.3 billion in 2021. Due to the restriction, the company’s approximately $100 million in revenue from India from the previous year will no longer exist.

    MPL’s Global Focus After India Exit

    The app has paid gaming operations in the US and Brazil and still offers free-to-play games in Europe. It is anticipated that the company would concentrate on these regions. The industry as a whole is feeling the effects of the prohibition. The $8 billion rival Dream11 has already shut down its fantasy cricket division, and a number of poker and rummy sites have gone down.

    Industry associations contend that skill-based activities like fantasy cricket are not comparable to gambling, which has traditionally been severely regulated in India. Not every player is backing off. As the first to file a lawsuit, gaming company A23 has contested the government’s ruling in court. However, MPL and Dream11 have chosen not to challenge the ruling.

    PokerBaazi to Lay Off 50% Workforce After MPL Job Cuts in Indian Gaming Industry

    After real money gaming (RMG) was outlawed in India, Moonshine Technology, which was supported by Nazara Technologies and ran PokerBaazi, began firing its staff. According to sources who spoke to several media sites, the business has begun to lay off workers, with up to 50% of its personnel potentially affected.

    According to a different Storyboard18 article, 200 workers were let go by the company that created PokerBaazi. Moonshine Technology is now the second startup to use layoffs as a result of the RMG ban.

    Additionally, the development follows Nazara’s decision to forgo acquiring a further share in Moonshine Technology. Nazara and Moonshine Technology had reached a final agreement for Nazara to purchase a 47.7% share in Moonshine Technology for INR 831.5 Cr through a secondary transaction.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Ban wipes out revenue from MPL’s core
    fantasy cricket, poker, and rummy businesses.

    •India gaming market, once projected
    to reach $3.6B by 2029, faces major disruption.

    •Layoffs across marketing, ops,
    engineering, legal & finance.

    •MPL valued at $2.3B in 2021, with
    ~$100M revenue from India last year—now lost.

  • Surgical Robot Maker Intuitive to Layoff 331 Employees at Sunnyvale Headquarters

    According to a US state filing last week, medical robot maker Intuitive Surgical may fire up to 331 employees from its Sunnyvale headquarters facility. By the end of October, the Santa Clara-based corporation will be laying off employees at 1050 Kifer Road, which is adjacent to its main headquarters facility at 1020 Kifer Road.

    Impact on Sunnyvale Facility and Workforce Size

    The layoffs were caused by Intuitive ceasing operations for weekend and graveyard shifts in one of its industrial units. In order to reduce the final layoff number, the firm stated that it will urge the impacted employees to apply for available positions. The reductions come from a workforce of 15,638 workers, as in the previous year.

    Reason Behind the Job Reductions

    Up to 212 assembly technicians, 26 manufacturing leaders, 22 trainers, and 22 material handlers are among the impacted staff members. Layoffs have severely impacted medical device and biotech industries as a result of the industry slump that followed the pandemic.

    Roles Impacted by the Layoffs

     Together, Gilead, Roche, and Cargo Therapeutics have eliminated hundreds of positions in the Bay Area this year. Founded in 1995, Intuitive is well-known for its da Vinci Surgical System, which helps physicians do minimally invasive treatments like heart valve repairs, hysterectomies, and prostate removals. By the end of June, 10,488 da Vinci systems had been installed, according to the business.

    Growth in da Vinci Surgical System Installations

    The business recorded $2.44 billion in revenue for the second quarter, a 21% increase over the previous year. The second quarter’s net income increased from $527 million in 2024 to $658 million. The outcomes exceeded Zacks Investment Research’s analyst projections. Tuesday’s trading saw Intuitive’s shares rise 1.2%, reaching a market valuation of $172 billion.

    Tech and Media Layoffs Continue in 2025

    With big companies like Google, Microsoft, and others continuing to reduce their workforces, layoffs in the tech sector are not expected to halt in 2025.

    Companies are still cutting employees in an effort to simplify operations, save money, and emphasise automation and artificial intelligence, even though these figures are much lower than the major layoffs that occurred between 2022 and 2023.

    Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks layoffs in the industry, reports that 93 organisations have laid off nearly 23,500 tech workers so far this year, and the number is still growing.

    Industry-Wide Trend: AI Reshaping the Workforce

    Google and Microsoft are apparently contemplating a new round of layoffs, according to the most recent job reduction reports. According to reports, AI-led restructuring and performance-based terminations are part of the corporations’ goals to increase the effectiveness of their personnel.

    Similarly, Disney laid off about 200 workers, or nearly 6% of the workforce, from its ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks divisions in March 2025.

    According to a media report, the Walt Disney Company restructured in October 2024, closing ABC Signature and combining its operations into 20th Television. It also merged the scripted drama and comedy teams from ABC and Hulu Originals.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Job cuts to be completed by end of
    October 2025.

    •Company ending weekend and graveyard
    shifts in one industrial unit.

    •Cuts come from a global workforce of
    15,638 employees.

    •Biotech & medical device sectors
    hit by post-pandemic slowdown.

  • FedEx Supply Chain Layoffs in Memphis to Impact Over 600 Employees, WARN Notice Confirms

    As part of a business shift, FedEx Supply Chain in Memphis will lay off over 600 employees. On August 27, the logistics colossus with headquarters in Memphis submitted a WARN notification (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification).

    FedEx informed the agency that 611 workers at its operations at 4155 Quest Way and 5800 Challenge Drive will be let go. The number of affected employees was not revealed at the time of the August 14 Commercial Appeal report on FedEx Supply Chain layoffs.

    WARN Notice Confirms FedEx Supply Chain Layoffs

    The WARN notice states that FedEx and impacted employees will coordinate services with the rapid response team of the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board.

    FedEx refused to give ‘The Commercial Appeal’ any more information about the WARN notification. According to a prior statement from the firm, the FedEx Supply Chain customer located in Memphis at 4155 Quest Way and 5800 Challenge Drive will be moving a sizable amount of its operations to a new third-party logistics provider in a different location.

    The transition is anticipated to be finished by October 2025. FedEx intends to continue operating a part of its operations in Memphis.

    Locations and Number of Employees Affected

    FedEx acknowledged that workers at this location were informed beforehand, and many of them will be qualified for other positions within the organisation. According to the official statement from the brand, the business is dedicated to helping impacted workers find new employment, relocate, or receive severance pay, if necessary, including at other FedEx locations in the region.

    Network 2.0 Restructure and Prior Layoffs

    According to FedEx, these modifications have nothing to do with the reorganisations it made as part of its previously declared network transformation strategy, known as Network 2.0. As part of the restructure, FedEx stated in July that it will be laying off over 480 workers.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Layoffs at 4155 Quest Way and 5800
    Challenge Drive facilities.

    •Transition to a new 3PL provider to
    be completed by October 2025.

    •FedEx coordinating with Greater
    Memphis Workforce Development Board for assistance.

    •Impacted staff may get opportunities
    for relocation, severance, or other FedEx roles.

    •Business shift as FedEx customer
    moves operations to another third-party logistics provider.