Oracle has reportedly carried out one of the biggest job cuts in recent times, with around 30,000 employees affected worldwide. India has taken the brunt of the blow, with nearly 12,000 workers losing their jobs. Many employees say they were caught off-guard, receiving sudden emails in the early morning hours—some as early as 5 or 6 am—telling them their positions were gone immediately.
The layoffs are said to be part of Oracle’s restructuring as it shifts focus toward artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres. Teams across India and other regions such as Mexico were impacted, with some reporting that nearly half their members were let go. Social-media platforms have been flooded with accounts from shocked employees describing how access to company systems was revoked almost instantly after the termination notices arrived.
Reports suggest the cuts amount to nearly 18 per cent of Oracle’s global workforce. In India, the scale is particularly severe, with thousands of skilled professionals suddenly unemployed. Severance packages are being offered, including pay based on years of service, notice pay, and other benefits, but in many cases only if employees resign voluntarily.
The suddenness of the move has left workers reeling, especially those with long service histories. Some had been with the company for decades, while others were just weeks away from completing milestones in their careers.
Industry watchers say this is part of a larger trend in tech, where companies are cutting costs and redirecting resources to AI. Similar moves have already been seen at Amazon and other giants earlier this year.
For India’s tech workforce, the Oracle layoffs are a stark reminder of how quickly jobs can vanish in the fast-changing digital economy. Thousands now face uncertainty, with more cuts rumoured to follow.
