Shopee rescinds job offers amidst adjustments to hiring plans

Shopee has reportedly cancelled job offers, according to Jiemian News, a Chinese digital outlet specialising in financial and business news, which cited the experiences of two individuals who have had their offers revoked.

One of the prospective employees who was heading to Singapore on 28 August received a call on that same day informing him that his job offer has been rescinded. When questioned further, Shopee's HR merely explained that the company has reshuffled its roles but did not offer further information. Meanwhile, another prospective employee was only informed shortly after he had landed in Singapore together with his wife and dog and was waiting in line at the immigration to obtain the necessary documents to enter the country, Jiemian said.

Shopee told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE: "Due to adjustments to hiring plans on some tech teams, a number of roles at Shopee are no longer available. We are working closely to support those affected."

Meanwhile, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE understands that these are all technology-related roles and most of the people impacted are based in Singapore and China. It is also understood that the vast majority of cases do not involve prospective employees relocating. Where relevant, impacted individuals will be offered a month's worth of salary and will also be reimbursed for other expenses incurred during their travel to Singapore including airfare and hotel stays, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE understands.

Several other prospective Shopee employees have also experienced similar situations and according to Jiemian, there are currently two rights protection groups with more than 60 and 200 members thus far. 

Shopee has been in the spotlight over the past few months. In June, it pulled out from Spain and cut jobs from ShopeeFood and ShopeePay. It also laid off parts of its teams in Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, as well as its cross-border team supporting the Spanish market.

Employees in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have also been laid off. CEO Chris Feng said previously that the company had to carry out "adjustments to optimise [the company's] operations in certain segments and markets". As a result of the uncertain economic situation, Shopee decided to be prudent and make "certain difficult but important adjustments", Feng aded. ShopeeFood and ShopeePay in Southeast Asia are currently operating as per usual, along with its operations in Shopee Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. The company also shuttered its India operations in March.

Meanwhile, its parent company Sea Group reported a total net loss of SG$1.28 billion in the second quarter of the financial year this month. This was more than twice the amount during the same period last year, which was US$599.5 million.

It also suspended its eCommerce forecast for the year as part of its efforts to adapt to increasing macro uncertainties, and as it “proactively shifts its strategies to focus on efficiency and optimisation for the long-term strength and profitability” of the eCommerce business. Aside from Shopee, Sea Group also has Garena and SeaMoney under its wing.

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