Optus to axe more than 1000 jobs, report

OPTUS has responded to reports it is planning to axe about 1000 workers in a $215 million cost-cutting exercise.

Optus logo

OPTUS has responded to reports it is planning to axe about 1000 workers in a $215 million cost-cutting exercise.

The telco plans to use savings from shedding 10 per cent of its workforce to support its ambitions to buy up sports media rights, The Australian reports today.

In a statement to news.com.au, a spokeswoman for Optus said the business was reviewing its operations “to ensure it has the right organisational structure in place to achieve its goals”.

However, in the statement, the business denied immediate plans to make 1000 roles redundant.

“As our business evolves we anticipate we will need to make further changes to the way we organise ourselves to support our business goals, but we have no specific changes to share right now,” the statement read.

Optus chief executive officer Allen Lew.

In its front page report today, The Australian claims secret documents reveal jobs will be cut from the company’s customer service and network roles.

The cost-cutting measure, reported to involve shedding as many as 1011 roles from the business, was slated as “part of our FY17 plan” in order to “protect profitability”, according to documents distributed to senior executives, the newspaper reports.

Optus last month reported a 9 per cent increase in quarterly net profits.