Nearly 550 employees of Innodata in India reportedly lost their jobs on October 26, when they found themselves abruptly cut off from company systems and received termination emails during what began as a routine workday. Similar job cuts have also been reported within the company's teams in the Philippines.
Employees described logging in for their shifts and marking attendance, only for reports of layoffs to begin circulating by lunchtime. Soon after, individuals started losing access to their company laptops, official IDs, and internal systems, followed by termination notices sent to their personal email accounts.
Sudden Termination Amidst Confusion
One affected 28-year-old engineer in Delhi recounted the chaotic scene, stating that the day started normally until midday. As panic spread, workers frantically tried to reach their managers, who also appeared surprised by the news. Employees discovered through the HR portal that October 26 was listed as their official date of resignation and last working day, indicating the sudden nature of the decision.
The termination emails, reviewed by sources, cited a “ramp-down of the business assignment” as the reason for the layoffs. The company stated that the decision was based on “business and operational requirements” and was not a reflection of individual performance.
Employees Seek Answers and Support
With immediate access to company systems revoked, many employees found themselves unable to download crucial documents like payslips. In response to the sudden job loss and lack of official communication from HR, affected individuals formed a large WhatsApp group to connect and seek answers. By late evening on the day of the layoffs, the group had grown to nearly 500 members, all grappling with uncertainty.
Innodata, a US-based firm specializing in data engineering and AI services, reported a global workforce of 10,107 employees as of December 31, 2025. The company has yet to issue a public statement confirming the exact number of employees impacted by these recent layoffs in India or the Philippines.