'Everyone's a Line on a Spreadsheet:' Inside Oracle's Mass Layoffs

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An Oracle technical writer named Jill was laid off on March 31 while heading for overdue back surgery, losing $300,000 in unvested stock bonuses and facing financial and retirement insecurity.
Oracle laid off up to 30,000 workers as part of a pivot toward AI and data center investments, with many long-term employees feeling they were forced to train AI systems that could replace them.
Former employees report that Oracle's internal AI tools often reduced productivity, generated faulty code, and increased workload pressures, with some working 60-80 hour weeks.
A survey of 272 laid-off workers found 62% were over 40, 22% had over 15 years tenure, and many lost unvested RSUs; H-1B visa holders face deportation risks within a 60-day grace period.
Over 600 employees signed a letter on April 17 demanding better severance, healthcare, and visa support, but Oracle refused group negotiations and offered below-industry-standard severance packages.
The layoffs have sparked increased labor consciousness among tech workers, with concerns about AI replacing jobs, unethical treatment, and a growing interest in unionization and collective action.

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