Dyson, the British tech company renowned for its household appliances, has laid off several employees at its Singapore global headquarters on October 1. The layoffs were unexpected, leaving many staff members in shock, particularly after the company had previously assured its Singapore workforce that they would not be affected by a restructuring in the UK. Just a month earlier, Dyson had cut around 1,000 jobs in the UK, primarily impacting its manufacturing and procurement departments.
The exact number of employees laid off in Singapore has not been disclosed, but affected staff were reportedly called into one-on-one meetings where they were informed that their roles had become redundant. The layoffs have created an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty within Dyson’s Singapore office, with employees quietly packing up their desks and leaving throughout the day.
The United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) expressed disappointment over the lack of advance notice, criticizing the company’s handling of the layoffs. In response, a Dyson spokesperson stated that the company regularly reviews its workforce to ensure it has the right skills in place and added that Dyson plans to continue expanding its presence in the region over the medium term.
Employees have been offered employment assistance, including counseling and outplacement services. However, despite these support measures, anxiety remains high among the workforce, with fears of further cuts still lingering.
The sudden nature of the layoffs has left many Dyson employees in Singapore feeling uneasy and concerned about their future with the company.
