Fidelity has long embraced remote work, even before COVID popularized it, and maintains empty offices across the U.S. as part of its operational strategy. Employees nearing higher pay thresholds, with few direct reports, or around ten years of service—which comes with a modest but helpful retirement stipend—often find themselves let go, regardless of their past or present contributions.
Over the past five years, Fidelity has also restructured much of its management, favoring Indian green card and visa employees. While this shift supports cost-cutting goals, it also addresses some of the challenges arising from cultural differences and the constraints of offshore (Indian) time zones.
Most American employees targeted for RIFs earn over $200K annually with benefits, making them ideal candidates for replacement. After all, who wouldn’t want two employees for the price of one? Unfortunately, Fidelity seems blind to the significant impact this has on the culture once established by Ned Johnson.
This approach has nothing to do with the amount of available desks in its buildings.