SINGAPORE: Dyson, the British technology company renowned for its innovative products, conducted a round of layoffs in Singapore on Tuesday, October 1, which came as an unexpected shock to its employees. The surprise move left workers feeling anxious, unsure of what the future holds, and in a state of low morale.
This wave of layoffs comes just three months after Dyson reassured employees in Singapore that its local operations, which serve as its global headquarters, would remain unaffected by a global restructuring that led to 1,000 job cuts in Britain.
Discreet Layoffs Leave Employees Stunned
Dyson’s retrenchment exercise was carried out discreetly, with affected employees receiving an email inviting them to a “one-on-one” meeting. Those who attended these meetings were informed by a Human Resources representative that their positions had been made redundant, according to employees who spoke to the media anonymously.
“The HR representative will be in the room. Unfortunately, the reason given was that the job is redundant, and we need to pack our things and prepare to leave,” one employee shared. The employee also described the discreet nature of the layoffs, saying, “We won’t know who was called into the room … I saw lots of envelopes.”
The layoffs primarily impacted employees from Dyson’s manufacturing and procurement departments, but the exact number of individuals let go remains unclear. One employee noted seeing at least 12 people from various teams, including research and development (R&D), exiting the office. The atmosphere in Dyson’s Singapore office has since been described as “solemn.”
Low Morale and Uncertainty Among Employees
Employees expressed shock and frustration at the unexpected layoffs, particularly after the company had announced plans to ramp up investments in Singapore. The surprise layoffs have left many workers uncertain about their job security, fearing that more retrenchments may follow.
One employee remarked that the retrenchments in Britain earlier in July were carried out “department by department and over a few weeks.” This has led some to believe that Tuesday’s layoffs may not be the last. “If they were to repeat the same, maybe next week, there will be another one?” the employee speculated.
Union Voices Disappointment Over Short Notice
The United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries (UWEEI), which is affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), expressed disappointment at being given only one day’s notice about the layoffs. The union stated that the short notice provided insufficient time for meaningful discussions with Dyson regarding the retrenchment exercise.
Although the retrenched employees fell outside the union’s scope of representation under its collective agreement with Dyson, UWEEI emphasized that it “stands ready to support affected workers.” The union, in partnership with NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i), will assist laid-off employees with job searches, job matching, career coaching, and training.
The union also urged companies to follow the principles outlined in NTUC’s Fair Retrenchment Framework, which encourages protecting the Singaporean core of the workforce, preserving jobs, and providing job support to retrenched workers.
Dyson’s Response and Future in Singapore
In response to the union’s disappointment, Dyson maintained that it had “respectfully informed UWEEI in advance” and followed all the prevailing guidelines from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The company stated that it is providing affected employees with outplacement services and Employment Assistance Programmes (EAP), including counseling services.
Dyson, founded by British billionaire James Dyson, has had a long-standing presence in Singapore since 2007. Singapore serves as Dyson’s global headquarters and is a hub for its research, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain operations. The company also manufactures its patented digital motors in Singapore, with one motor being produced every two seconds in its Jurong facility. Additionally, Dyson produces air purifiers, hair dryers, and other household appliances here.
In 2022, Dyson committed to investing S$1.5 billion in Singapore over four years and announced plans to hire more than 250 engineers and scientists in areas such as robotics and machine learning. Despite the layoffs, Dyson reaffirmed its commitment to Singapore, stating that its ambitions in the country remain unchanged.
EDB’s Statement and Assistance for Affected Workers
In a separate statement, the Economic Development Board (EDB) highlighted that Dyson “maintains a significant presence” in Singapore, including its headquarters, innovation, and advanced manufacturing activities. The EDB added that it will work closely with Dyson and relevant government agencies to assist affected employees by facilitating job placements with companies that require their skills and expertise.
What’s Next for Dyson Employees?
As Dyson continues to evolve and restructure its workforce, employees in Singapore remain concerned about the possibility of more layoffs. The shock of the retrenchments has left many uncertain about their futures and the stability of their jobs.
For those affected by the layoffs, support systems from unions, government agencies, and Dyson’s internal assistance programs are in place to help ease the transition. However, the lingering fear of more job cuts has created an atmosphere of apprehension within the office, with employees unsure of what’s next.
