Uber is cutting more than 3,000 jobs worldwide as part of a major overhaul designed to shrink management layers and refocus spending on its core business. The cuts amount to roughly 10% of its global workforce, bringing staffing back to levels last seen in 2021. Chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi told staff in a company email that the taxi and delivery firm had expanded quickly but accumulated too many layers and small teams that slowed decision-making.

The move marks one of Uber's largest restructurings in years and signals a shift towards a leaner operating model. Shares rose nearly 2% after the announcement, with investors appearing to welcome the proposals. Cuts affect both managers and non-managers, and Uber said it plans to fold many of its smallest teams into larger groups, however, the firm has not confirmed the locations most affected by job cuts. Such changes are intended to make Uber 'simpler' and 'faster,' while freeing up money to reinvest in areas it considers central to its future, Khosrowshahi said.

The restructuring comes as Uber steps up investment in autonomous vehicle partnerships and expands its ride-hailing, delivery, and robotaxi operations. Uber is also tightening up its office strategy, asking nearly all employees to work in person at designated hubs and limiting remote roles to about 1%. Analysts said the layoffs could generate up to $2bn in annual savings. Unlike many large technology companies that have cut jobs amid heavy spending on artificial intelligence (AI), Uber had avoided major reductions since the pandemic.

The latest changes bring its workforce back to just under 30,000 people, roughly where it stood before its most recent period of expansion.