📊Bloomberg Technology•Jun 3, 2026Stalecollected in 33m

Uber Cuts 23% of People Division to Simplify Structure

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💡Major tech firms are restructuring to prioritize efficiency; see how Uber is streamlining its internal operations.

⚡ 30-Second TL;DR

What Changed

23% headcount reduction in the People division

Why It Matters

The restructuring suggests a shift toward leaner corporate operations as Uber continues to integrate AI-driven automation into its internal business processes.

What To Do Next

Evaluate your own organization's internal workflows to identify HR or administrative tasks that can be automated using LLM-based agents.

Who should care:Founders & Product Leaders

Key Points

•23% headcount reduction in the People division
•Restructuring aims to simplify team hierarchy and operational efficiency
•Led by newly promoted president Jill Hazelbaker

🧠 Deep Insight

Web-grounded analysis with 14 cited sources.

🔑 Enhanced Key Takeaways

•The 'People' division at Uber encompasses human resources, recruiting, and real estate functions, indicating a broad scope for the recent headcount reduction.
•The restructuring is being overseen by Jill Hazelbaker, who was recently promoted to President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, taking on responsibilities previously held by the Chief People Officer, Nikki Krishnamurthy, who stepped down in May 2026.
•This move aligns with Uber's broader organizational strategy to centralize functions and unify its platform experience, a trend also seen with the reinstatement of the Chief Operating Officer role in June 2025.
•The layoffs in the People division occur amidst a company-wide push for cost optimization, evidenced by Uber's recent decision to cap employee spending on AI coding tools after exceeding its 2026 budget within four months.
•Uber has been undergoing a corporate transformation since 2016, focusing on establishing a reformed organizational culture that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

🔮 Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources

Uber will likely experience increased operational efficiency and potentially reduced overhead costs in its corporate functions.

The restructuring is explicitly aimed at simplifying team hierarchy and streamlining operations, which typically leads to cost savings and improved efficiency.

Jill Hazelbaker's expanded role signifies a strategic move to integrate corporate affairs, marketing, and human resources more closely.

Her new title as President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, encompassing HR, recruiting, real estate, marketing, communications, public policy, and safety, suggests a consolidated approach to internal and external corporate messaging and talent management.

The layoffs, combined with recent AI budget overruns and hiring moderation, indicate a company-wide push for cost optimization and leveraging technology for efficiency.

Uber has recently capped employee AI spending after blowing its 2026 budget and stated it will moderate hiring due to AI benefits, suggesting a broader strategy to reduce labor costs through technological adoption and organizational streamlining.

⏳ Timeline

2015

Jill Hazelbaker joins Uber in a senior leadership role.

2019-07

Uber lays off 400 marketing employees, approximately one-third of the team, as part of a restructuring led by Jill Hazelbaker.

2020-05

Uber announces significant layoffs, totaling 6,700 employees (25% of staff), across customer support and recruiting teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2025-05

Uber tightens its hybrid work policy, requiring three days in the office, and revises sabbatical eligibility, sparking employee unrest.

2025-06

Uber reinstates the Chief Operating Officer role and promotes Andrew Macdonald, centralizing Mobility, Delivery, and Autonomous vehicles under him to unify the platform experience.

2026-05-11

Nikki Krishnamurthy steps down as Chief People Officer; Jill Hazelbaker is appointed President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, taking on Krishnamurthy's former responsibilities.