Oracle layoffs: Early-morning system lockouts followed by same-day termination emails

Employees affected by the latest round of Oracle layoffs were told that their jobs had been eliminated on the same day they received their termination email, with some reportedly losing access to company systems hours before the message arrived.

The email, signed by “Oracle Leadership,” informed employees that their positions were being eliminated as part of a “broader organizational change” and made clear that the day the email was received would be their final working day.

The latest cuts come as Oracle continues to pour billions of dollars into artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres, even as it works to reduce payroll and restructuring costs.

Oracle employees reportedly lost system access before layoff email

For some employees, the termination process reportedly began before they were formally notified.

Federated logins stopped working at around 4 am local time, according to reports. Access to Slack was then disconnected for some employees between roughly 5 am and 5:30 am.

An early-morning email followed, telling affected employees that their employment was ending that day.

The company said employees would receive severance after completing their termination paperwork. It also instructed them to provide a personal email address so they could receive separation documents, frequently asked questions and other information related to their departure.

What Oracle's layoff email said

The termination message told employees that Oracle had decided to eliminate their roles after reviewing its current business requirements.

The company said the decision was part of a broader organisational change and confirmed that the day the employee received the email would be their last working day.

The letter also thanked employees for their work and said they would be eligible for a severance package, subject to the terms of the company's severance plan.

Employees were told that DocuSign would send details about their severance and termination documents to their Oracle email addresses.

The letter also warned that access to computers, email, voicemail and files would soon be deactivated. Employees were reminded that they could not download, copy or retain Oracle's confidential information, including by emailing such material to themselves.

The email ended with a direction to contact Oracle's HR team through the company's Ask HR page with any further questions.

Read Oracle's termination email in full

The termination email read:

“We are sharing some difficult news regarding your position.

After careful consideration of Oracle's current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational change. As a result, today is your last working day.

We are grateful for your dedication, hard work, and the impact you have made during your time with us.

After signing your termination paperwork, you will be eligible to receive a severance package subject to the terms and conditions of the severance plan. You will receive an email from DocuSign to your Oracle email address with details on your severance and termination date.

Immediate Action Required

To receive important follow-up information, including FAQs and separation documents to help you through this transition, you must provide a personal email address.

Please click here to submit a personal email address immediately. If you make a submission error, please re-submit a new form. Please Note: The personal email address will only be used for correspondence regarding separation-related information and severance agreements.

Access to your computer, email, voicemail, and files will be deactivated soon, and you will be unable to log into your computer. As a reminder, you are prohibited from downloading, copying or retaining (including emailing yourself any Oracle confidential information.

Thank you for your contributions to our organization. If you have additional questions, please reach out to the HR team via the Ask HR page.

Oracle Leadership.”

How much severance will Oracle employees get?

For employees in the US, the severance package includes four weeks of base pay, along with an additional week of pay for every year of service, according to documents seen by Business Insider.

The package had previously been reported to have a 26-week cap.

Oracle has not publicly disclosed how many employees have been affected by the latest layoffs. The company has also not formally released the termination email.