Oracle layoffs stun workforce as 30,000 jobs slashed globally, India sees massive hit

In a sweeping and sudden workforce overhaul, Oracle Corporation has reportedly laid off close to 30,000 employees worldwide, with India emerging as one of the hardest-hit regions. Nearly 12,000 jobs are believed to have been cut in the country alone, triggering shock and uncertainty across teams.

The layoffs unfolded with little warning. Employees across divisions reported receiving termination emails as early as 5–6 am on April 1, informing them that their roles had been eliminated with immediate effect. Many said there were no prior discussions with HR or managers, intensifying the abruptness of the move.

The cuts are understood to have affected segments of Oracle’s computing business across multiple geographies, including India and Mexico. While the company has not officially confirmed the numbers, estimates circulating online suggest that nearly 18% of its global workforce may have been impacted.

India appears to be at the epicenter of the downsizing. Reports indicate that nearly 12,000 employees were laid off from a base of around 30,000 in the country. On social media platforms like Blind, Reddit and X, employees described widespread reductions, with some teams losing up to 50% of their members.

Posts from affected workers highlight the human toll. “Just got an email at 5 am… over 20 years of service,” one user wrote. Another said, “Laid off at 6 am… was about to complete four years next month.” In several cases, employees reported losing access to internal systems almost immediately after receiving the email, which was sent directly by “Oracle Leadership.”

In an internal communication, the company cited organizational restructuring, stating that roles were being made redundant as part of efforts to streamline operations.

Oracle has reportedly offered a severance package that includes 15 days’ salary for each year of service, one month’s notice pay, leave encashment, gratuity (where applicable), and a two-month salary top-up. However, the package is said to apply to employees who opt for voluntary resignation.

Sources suggest this may not be the end of the cuts, with another round of layoffs potentially on the horizon within a month, though this remains unconfirmed.

The move comes as Oracle accelerates investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres, signaling a broader strategic pivot. The restructuring mirrors trends across the tech industry, where companies like Amazon have also trimmed workforce to prioritize AI-driven growth.

An ex-employee, Merugu Sridhar, alleged he had been laid off earlier after raising concerns about long working hours. He further claimed that Indian employees working in the US were disproportionately affected due to stricter local retrenchment laws protecting domestic workers.

With no official statement yet from Oracle, the scale and suddenness of the layoffs have left thousands grappling with uncertainty, marking one of the most significant workforce reductions in the tech sector this year.