Expedia Group is laying off 12% of its employees,
amounting to around 3,000 jobs, GeekWire reported.
The report referenced an internal email from executives that
told employees the cuts come after a “disappointing 2019 business performance.”
In addition to employees, the email stated Expedia would
reduce projects, activities and teams “to streamline and focus our
organization.”
The news about employee cuts comes after a December
management shakeup, in which chairman Barry Diller took over the company’s leadership after ousting
former CEO Mark Okerstrom.
Earlier this month on his first financial earnings call in
that role, Diller blasted the company as “wildly complex,” “bloated” and one that “lost clarity and discipline.”
He didn’t make any announcements about staffing on the call,
but did commit to simplifying the organization. As a result, Expedia expects
cost savings of between $300 million and $500 million.
In a statement, Expedia said, “Today, Expedia Group
announced our intent to simplify how we do business. This includes stopping
certain projects and activities, reducing use of vendors and contractors and
eliminating approximately 12% of our direct workforce. This will include about
500 people in Seattle. We remain committed to Seattle and greater King County.”