From Dallas Express · Dallas Express · · 1m 50s
Laid-Off Best Buy Workers Sound Alarm Over India Outsourcing
Former Best Buy employees warn outsourcing to India threatens U.S. jobs.
In brief
Former Best Buy employees warn outsourcing to India threatens U.S. jobs. Two former Best Buy workers say 2024 layoffs and India outsourcing create job insecurity for U.S. workers. Originally reported by Dallas Express.
Former Best Buy Employees
Two former Texas Best Buy employees spoke exclusively with The Dallas Express about job losses and concerns over India outsourcing.
“The company eliminated her position in 2024.”
2024 Layoffs Impact
Rachel, a former Care Specialist 3, lost her job in 2024 after a manager called her on her day off without warning.
“As of now, your role is being eliminated.”
Severance and Job Search
Rachel received severance and a deadline to find another Best Buy role by Friday, but job searches became difficult after layoffs.
“I was working 10 hours a day. There's just, we're losing money.”
Workforce Decline
Care Specialist 3 workforce dropped from 188 to 98 employees between December 2022 and April 2024, according to internal headcounts.
“The Care Specialist 2 workforce fell from 710 in December 2022 to 548 on April 2 rules.”
Restructuring Costs
Best Buy reported $169 million in restructuring charges in February 2024, primarily for employee termination benefits.
“Restructuring charges totaled $169 million, primarily for employee termination benefits.”
India Outsourcing Shift
Best Buy plans to move its India technology center to Tata Consultancy Services under a multiyear agreement announced October 1, 2026.
“Best Buy's India entity and its employees will transition to TCS under a multiyear agreement.”
H-1B Visa Concerns
MyVisaJobs listed 125 labor condition applications and 89 H-1B petitions for Best Buy in fiscal 2026 data, including 88 approvals.
“The field of work that we were doing is exactly what the Indians are being hired to do.”
Orange Wedding Nickname
Employees called the 2024 layoffs the 'Orange Wedding,' comparing it to the 'Red Wedding' in Game of Thrones.
“A lot of the internal folks called it the Orange Wedding.”
Job Search Struggles
Rachel applied for cosmetology school while working 10 hours a day to support her children, but found no job after two years.
“I've put in applications over the last two years, and I cannot get a call back.”
H-1B Impact
The H-1B program covers specialty employment in the U.S., but Best Buy's H-1B workers may compete with U.S. employees in their field.
“The field of work that we were doing is exactly what the Indians are being hired to do.”
Workforce Transition
Best Buy's India team will transition to TCS, but the company says it does not establish that TCS replaced U.S. workers.
“The announcement concerns an existing India operation. It does not establish that TCS, Wipro or specific overseas workers replaced the two former employees' positions.”
What matters most
Two former Best Buy workers say 2024 layoffs and India outsourcing create job insecurity for U.S. workers.
