ABBYY's Mass Layoffs: A Shift Towards Transformation and Modernization
In a significant move, ABBYY, a leading software developer specializing in document processing, has announced mass layoffs of its Russian employees, citing a need for "transformation and modernization". The company's representatives stated that this restructuring aims to enhance operational functions, including finance, accounting, and research and development, which were previously region-specific. ABBYY emphasized that this global transformation is essential for reinvesting in future growth and accelerating product innovation for its customers.
The layoffs, which reportedly affected between 200 and 400 employees across ABBYY's offices in Serbia, Hungary, and Cyprus, have raised concerns among the affected workers. A former employee indicated that the dismissals targeted those holding Russian passports, revealing a troubling trend of discrimination. Employees were informed of their terminations during a tightly controlled online meeting, where they were barred from communicating or showing their faces. Following the announcement, their corporate access was immediately revoked.
State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein condemned the layoffs, labeling them as a manifestation of Russophobia and cautioning Russian citizens against relying on foreign support. He urged individuals to recognize the precarious nature of their employment in foreign companies, regardless of their personal standing.
Founded in 1989, ABBYY has undergone significant changes, including its decision to exit the Russian market in 2022. As the company navigates this transformation, the impact on its workforce and the broader implications for Russian employees abroad remain critical topics of discussion.
