Uber Denied Permission to Terminate 11 Staff at Amsterdam HQ
The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) has rejected Uber’s request to dismiss 11 employees at its EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam, the ride-hailing giant confirmed this week. This decision comes months after Uber’s massive global workforce reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background: Uber’s 2020 Workforce Reductions
- In May 2020, Uber announced layoffs affecting approximately 15% of its global workforce
- The cuts included about 200 positions in Amsterdam
- Company cited pandemic-related demand changes as primary reason
- Most affected Amsterdam employees accepted severance packages
The Current Dispute
The 11 employees in question declined Uber’s initial severance offer. According to Dutch labor law:
- Employers must obtain UWV approval for planned dismissals
- The agency found “no grounds for dismissal” in this case
- Uber disagrees with the decision and is reviewing options
Employee Treatment Under Scrutiny
Dutch newspaper NRC reported concerning details about the termination process:
- Employees received termination notices via Zoom calls
- Internal system access was revoked within 24 hours
- Daily reminders pressured staff to accept severance
- Many affected workers were reportedly expats unfamiliar with Dutch labor rights
Uber’s Severance Package Details
The company offered affected employees:
- Minimum 2.5 months’ salary
- Health benefits through December 2020
- Career transition support
- Additional assistance for visa holders
What Comes Next?
Uber maintains its position that the layoffs were necessary due to pandemic impacts, stating:
“We made the difficult decision to reduce our global headcount due to the dramatic impact of the pandemic, and the unpredictable nature of any eventual recovery.”
The company plans to review UWV’s decision before determining next steps, setting up a potential legal challenge to the labor agency’s ruling.
This case highlights the tension between corporate restructuring efforts and employee protections in the Netherlands, particularly for international workers who may be less familiar with local labor laws.
