Sunrise has officially confirmed plans to cut up to 450 full-time positions, i.e. roughly 16% of its workforce, as part of a broad operating-model review, the Swiss telecom operator announced Monday, 21 September 2026. The confirmed figure is notably higher than expected, bringing the total number of job losses since February to as many as 600.
A local financial blog cited an anonymous insider who claimed Sunrise planned to cut 380 jobs, with trade unions already informed, and speculated that the total reduction could exceed 500 positions once combined with earlier cuts. A Sunrise spokesperson declined to comment on what the outlet called “speculation” at the time.
Hours later, Sunrise issued an official statement confirming a larger-scale plan: up to 450 full-time-equivalent job cuts, described as “just under 16%” of the current workforce, following a comprehensive review of its operating model aimed at “anticipating emerging market and technological developments.”
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Sunrise Confirms 450 Job Cuts: 600 Jobs Have Been Cut Since February
Combined with the 147 jobs Sunrise already cut earlier this year, a reduction completed over the summer, the newly announced cuts bring the total potential job losses to up to 600 positions. Trade union Syndicom characterises this combined total as roughly a quarter of Sunrise’s workforce of approximately 2,600–2,900 people, calling the move an “affront” to staff.
Notably, Sunrise’s own disclosed employee count (around 2,850 to 2,900 full-time equivalents) is meaningfully higher than the roughly 2,500 in global staff.
Sunrise’s official statement frames the reduction around a broader strategic repositioning. The company says it is targeting “substantial savings” over the medium term without providing specific figures, and that contracts with external subcontractors will also face systematic review as part of the same transformation program.
Staff working in shops, sales and customer service are expected to be largely spared from the cuts, and apprentices will be fully excluded, the company confirmed, details that align with how Sunrise structured its earlier February 2026 round of 147 layoffs.
Sunrise’s Share Price Reportedly Rose Following The Announcement
Sunrise says the job reduction is not yet finalized. The company plans to launch the legally required consultation process with employee representatives and the Syndicom union during the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning final numbers and terms could still shift before implementation.
Despite the scale of the cuts, Sunrise’s share price reportedly rose following the announcement.
