Barnes & Noble is laying off workers at stores nationwide, citing a new staffing policy, according to a filing by the New York-based company.

The bookseller's 8-K report, filed with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday, says the company had adopted "a new labor model for its stores that has resulted in the elimination of certain store positions."

Stores will now have the the ability to adjust staff to increase store productivity and streamline operations, the report said.

The cuts are expected to be completed by today, the filing said.

Barnes & Noble did not provide a number of how many jobs may be cut or at what locations.

Corporate officials did not respond immediately to calls. Local stores referred all comment to the corporate offices.

The move means the company will incur a charge of about $11 million in its fiscal third quarter for severance costs and related expenses, the filing says. The company expects to save $40 million annually due to the new staff policy, the filing said.

The bookseller is facing increased competition from Amazon and Walmart, according to a report by CNBC.

Workers discovered they didn't have jobs when they reported to work Monday, according to CNBC.

Barnes and Noble just fires almost every single receiving manager as a cost cutting measure. I worked with them for over 17 years and my weekly Storytimes are massively popular. And in the blink of an eye, I'm fired. — THE Reverend Steve (@ReverendSteve) February 12, 2018

Barnes & Noble operates 632 stores nationwide, and employs about 26,000 people.

The chain operates stores in the Syracuse area in DeWitt and Clay.

In 2003, the company employed about 56,000 people, according to an article in Quartz.

Barnes & Noble is trimming its staff, laying off lead cashiers, digital leads and other experienced workers in a company-wide clearing, according to sources familiar with the matter. https://t.co/vZHUgWmRCI — NBC News (@NBCNews) February 12, 2018

In January, Barnes & Noble reported sales for the holiday period were $953 million, declining 6.4 percent compared to the prior year. Comparable store sales also declined 6.4 percent for the holiday period, while online sales declined 4.5 percent, the company said.