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Google and Amazon struggle to lay off workers in Europe

By Benoit Berthelot, Aggi Cantrill, Davey Alba

06 Apr 2023 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

After cutting thousands of jobs in the U.S., Big Tech companies are trying to do the same in Europe — but with less success. Bloomberg explains why European labor laws have left many workers in limbo.

After announcing the largest rounds of layoffs in their history, US big tech companies are now learning how difficult it is to reduce headcount in Europe.

In the US, companies can announce widespread job cuts and let go of hundreds if not thousands of workers within months — and many have. Meanwhile, in Europe, mass layoffs among tech companies have stalled because of labor protections that make it virtually impossible to dismiss people in some countries without prior consultations with employee interest groups.

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