Dyson cuts jobs, many employees asked to pack and leave

Dyson's Singapore office has been hit by a sudden wave of layoffs, leaving employees shocked and anxious about the future. Most of the layoffs targeted workers in manufacturing and procurement, though details about the exact number of job cuts remain unclear. 

In Short

• Dyson's Singapore office has been hit by a sudden wave of layoffs
• A Dyson employee revealed that some people have been asked to pack and leave
• Dyson stated that it regularly evaluates its workforce to ensure the right skills are in place

Dyson's Singapore office has been hit by a sudden wave of layoffs, leaving employees shocked and anxious about the future. The layoffs, which took place on October 1, came just a few months after the company had reassured its Singapore staff that they would not be affected by an earlier restructuring in the UK, where around 1,000 jobs were cut.

A report from CNA claimed that the impacted employees received emails, inviting them to one-on-one meetings, during which they were informed that their roles had been made redundant. Most of the layoffs targeted workers in manufacturing and procurement, though details about the exact number of job cuts remain unclear.

The report further stated that the latest move contributed to low morale, with employees worried about the possibility of further cuts. The Singapore layoffs were unexpected for employees because the company had recently announced plans to increase investment in the region. Employees have described a tense atmosphere in the office, with colleagues quietly packing up and leaving throughout the day.

"The HR representative will be in the room. Unfortunately, the reason given (was) the job is redundant, and we need to pack our things and prepare to leave,” an employee said.

The company has stated that it regularly evaluates its workforce to ensure the right skills are in place but did not provide specific details about why these roles were cut.

"We constantly evolve the composition of our teams and take steps to ensure we have the right skills in the right places. Our ambitions in Singapore remain unchanged, and we anticipate that we will continue to grow here in the medium term," a Dyson spokesperson said.

In response to the layoffs, the United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) voiced disappointment over the lack of advance notice, noting that the union was only informed a day before the retrenchments took place. Although the affected workers fall outside of the union’s direct representation, UWEEI has raised the issue with Singapore's Ministry of Manpower and pledged to help those impacted through job placement services and career support programs.

Dyson, for its part, has stated that it is complying with local guidelines and is providing employment assistance, including counseling and outplacement services, to help affected workers transition. Despite these assurances, there is still uncertainty among remaining staff about whether more layoffs might be on the horizon.