Oracle lays off more than 700 employees — the initial phase of a large-scale job loss that may affect thousands throughout California

Oracle Set to Lay Off 700 Employees by June 1

According to California state records, a significant wave of layoffs at Oracle is on the horizon, with around 700 employees expected to lose their jobs by June 1.

Under the leadership of billionaire Larry Ellison, the company is planning to reduce its workforce by 310 positions in Redwood City, 184 in Santa Clara, 158 in Pleasanton, and 50 in Santa Monica.

This figure comes in addition to the 491 layoffs announced in Seattle. So, it seems Oracle is part of a much larger trend in tech industry job cuts, having recently indicated it would slash thousands of jobs overall.

Earlier in the year, analysts from TD Cowen estimated that Oracle might eliminate as many as 30,000 positions, possibly to finance initiatives related to artificial intelligence infrastructure. As of May 2025, Oracle has approximately 162,000 employees globally.

The recent layoffs are not an isolated incident; rather, they reflect a broader trend across the tech sector. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, around 52,050 tech employees were laid off, marking a 40% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Allegedly, artificial intelligence is being increasingly pointed at as a reason for these cuts.

Besides Oracle, other tech giants are also announcing layoffs. For instance, Qualcomm plans to let go of 67 employees in San Diego by the end of May, while Meta is reportedly laying off about 200 employees in Silicon Valley around the same timeframe.

California law requires businesses planning mass layoffs, plant closures, or relocations to notify authorities in advance.

This wave of layoffs has already driven up unemployment rates in the San Francisco Bay Area, as reported in January. Major companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon have also cut jobs despite investing billions into artificial intelligence.

Interestingly, Oracle’s approach to the layoffs has sparked some backlash on social media. Reports surfaced indicating that the company had filed around 3,126 petitions to hire H-1B workers for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, raising eyebrows about its employment practices.

For context, Oracle moved its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin in 2020 and then to Nashville in 2024, which contributed to a tech migration out of California. Nevertheless, the company still retains a significant number of employees in the Bay Area.

In more positive news for Oracle, the company recently announced strong earnings for its fiscal third quarter, ending February 28, showing a 22% year-over-year sales increase to over $17 billion. Additionally, Oracle recently appointed Hilary Maxon from Schneider Electric as its new chief financial officer.