Uber Technologies Inc. is implementing a targeted restructuring inside its People and Places organization that will eliminate roughly 23% of roles in that division, the company confirmed. The group encompasses human resources, recruiting, workplace facilities and employee culture functions. A company spokesperson said the cuts mostly affect senior positions and represent under 1% of Uber’s approximately 34,000 employees worldwide.
The People and Places changes were announced as part of a reorganization led by Jill Hazelbaker, who was promoted to president and chief corporate affairs officer several weeks ago. In her expanded remit Hazelbaker now oversees safety operations in addition to the marketing, policy and communications responsibilities she previously held, as well as the People and Places organization. The broadened responsibilities followed departures earlier this year of leaders who previously ran those functions.
In a memo to affected teams, Hazelbaker described the rationale for the reorganization: "As we’ve grown, parts of the organization have become too complex and fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities, unclear ownership, and teams operating too far from the businesses and partners they support." The message framed the changes as an effort to simplify structure and clarify ownership within the company.
The personnel reductions are concentrated in senior ranks within the People and Places unit. While 23% of that division’s roles are being cut, the job eliminations amount to less than 1% of Uber’s global workforce of about 34,000. The company’s nearly 10 million drivers are classified separately as independent contractors and are not part of this headcount figure or the People and Places reductions.
Separately, Uber is tightening remote-work flexibility for human resources staff. Employees in HR who had previously been approved to work remotely are being required to return to the office three days per week under a mandate that went into effect in June 2025.
When asked about potential links to the company’s artificial intelligence work, a spokesperson said the position eliminations are not related to AI initiatives.
The reorganization and office mandate come as Hazelbaker settles into her expanded role overseeing a diverse set of corporate functions. The company characterized the moves as efforts to reduce complexity and better align teams with the businesses and partners they support.
Key points
- Uber is cutting 23% of roles within its People and Places division; those cuts are largely senior positions.
- The reductions equal less than 1% of Uber’s roughly 34,000 global employees; drivers are classified separately as independent contractors (about 10 million).
- HR employees previously approved for remote work must return to the office three days a week under a mandate effective June 2025.
Risks and uncertainties
- Internal disruption in HR and workplace functions as senior roles are removed, which could affect employee programs and recruitment efforts.
- Implementation of a stricter in-office policy for HR staff may create transition challenges and impact workplace operations.
- Leadership changes and prior departures in related functions introduce uncertainty about execution and continuity as responsibilities are consolidated.