At Uber and elsewhere, managers with small fiefdoms have become an especially vulnerable target in the push to purge management ranks. Companies are eliminating layers of oversight as part of broader cost-cutting and efficiency drives. The trend reflects a shift away from hierarchical structures toward flatter organizations.

Roles overseeing just a handful of employees are being deemed redundant. This move aims to reduce overhead and increase agility. Leaders argue that fewer managers empower teams to act faster.

Critics warn it may strain remaining supervisors and hurt morale. The change is particularly visible in tech and ride-sharing firms. Uber has led the charge in redefining managerial spans of control.

Other corporations are now following suit. The micro-team boss role, once common, is rapidly disappearing.