What do you do after you pay $US1.2 billion for a company? You gut ‘em. Or that’s what HP is doing to Palm. AllThingsD is reporting that HP is cutting “former Palm staffers from its ranks”. It’s proving, what everyone sort of thought already, that HP is buying Palm more for its IP and technology than for its talent. More »
After telling its investors that $US200 million has been put aside to jettison a third of its payroll, AOL is looking for 2500 staff to take voluntary redundancies — jump now, or be pushed later. More »
This follows up their 1,400 count layoff in January, which were its first ever. Maybe it can use some of that $US11 million in stimulus money to build a bridge so the poor people who got laid off can live under it. [Seattle Times]
Apple’s financials looked pretty spectacular this quarter, with a total profit in excess of $US1.2 billion despite the gruesome economy. They also exceeded expectations for iPod and iPhone sales, laptop sales, and layoffs. Wait, what?
Tomorrow might not be the best day to go to Best Buy, as two independent sources (one of which we’ve used in the past) have warned us of extensive store-level layoffs. UPDATE
IBM has begun notifying employees that layoffs or “resource actions” are coming. All in all, some 5000 employees, mostly from the Global Business Services division will be affected. [Digital Daily]
Valleywag’s Apple layoff rumours have apparently been confirmed by a source in Apple’s enterprise group: 50 jobs cut, all in sales. Update: According to Business Insider, an Apple spokesperson says this story is untrue. [VW]
Microsoft watcher Ina Fried reports that the company won’t be taking back severance “overpayments”, even though it confirmed it did ask for them initially. The truth is, despite numbers reported in the thousands, only 25 people were overpaid, somewhere between $US4000 and $US5000, according to Microsoft HR head Lisa Brummel, who said about 20 more of those laid off were actually underpaid. Microsoft isn’t the only company to ever pay anyone too much then ask for it back, but Brummel says these were extraordinary circumstances, so they’re reversing their decision. Those who were underpaid will be getting the correct funds pronto. [CNet]
