Image Credit: LinkedIn
Bentonville, Arkansas— Walmart has announced the layoff of approximately 1,500 employees from its global technology division, aiming to streamline operations and reduce decision-making complexities.
The move has placed Suresh Kumar, the company's Indian-origin Chief Technology Officer (CTO), under scrutiny, with critics linking the layoffs to the hiring of H-1B visa holders.
Key Facts:
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Layoffs Announced: Approximately 1,500 tech jobs cut at Walmart's headquarters and global tech team.
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Leadership Involved: CTO Suresh Kumar and U.S. CEO John Furner communicated the restructuring plan.
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Public Reaction: Criticism on social media, with some attributing job cuts to H-1B hiring practices.
The layoffs are part of Walmart's strategy to accelerate decision-making and simplify its organizational structure.
In a memo reviewed by Bloomberg, Kumar and Furner stated that while some roles are being eliminated, new positions aligned with the company's growth strategy will be created.
Suresh Kumar, originally from Basavanagudi in Bengaluru, holds a BTech in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Madras and a PhD in control systems from Princeton University.
Before joining Walmart in 2019, he held leadership roles at Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
The layoffs have reignited debates around the H-1B visa program, with some social media users alleging that the job cuts are making way for foreign workers.
However, there is no official evidence linking the layoffs to H-1B hiring practices.
"Curiosity is a career superpower," Kumar recently shared on LinkedIn, reflecting on his academic journey and encouraging professionals to remain inquisitive and seek mentorship.
As Walmart navigates this restructuring, the focus remains on balancing operational efficiency with workforce stability.
The company has yet to provide detailed comments addressing the criticisms directed at its CTO.
Do You Know?
Suresh Kumar earned approximately $15.98 million last year, including a base salary of $1.1 million and stock awards of $12 million.
Key Terms:
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H-1B Visa: A U.S. visa that allows companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise.
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CTO (Chief Technology Officer): An executive responsible for overseeing the technological direction and development within an organization.
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Organizational Restructuring: The process of reorganizing a company's structure to improve efficiency and adapt to new strategies or markets.