What’s the best way to create an HR firestorm in three easy steps? If you’re Microsoft, layoff 1,400 employees, give them severance on the way out, and then ask for part of it back.
In addition to cutting 15,000 jobs, Panasonic’s all but ordering another 10,000 employees who didn’t get axed to buy Panasonic electronics.
After cancelling some of the world’s best TVs, Pioneer announced they’re laying off 10,000 workers. They’re citing the reason as the trapdoor floor in the market for car stereo and TVs. [NYT]
In the wake of Microsoft’s first wave of layoffs, Seattle thrift stores are seeing a significant rise in Microsoft-related, wearable propaganda. And some of this stuff is downright hilarious.
Dan Woodman bled for Microsoft—literally. He got a tattoo with their Blue Monster mascot and slogan “Change the World or Go Home.” But his loyalty could not save him from being laid off.
Sometimes, editorial cartoons are more sad than funny. No matter what you think of Microsoft, nobody likes seeing people laid off. Stay strong, all you Hodgmans. [Gary Varvel via The Daily What]
Microsoft cut the Entertainment & Devices division’s budget because the group’s R&D costs had skyrocketed in the preceding months—to twice as much as the Windows group, said TechFlash. Will this hurt the group’s great products?
The first blow to us from the layoffs Microsoft announced yesterday cuts deep into our childhood memories: Flight Simulator is permanently grounded. The entire development team is gone.
Microsoft, the industry’s unassailable juggernaut, apparently can bleed. It’s laying off 5,000 workers of its 94,000-employee workforce. Rumour is, mostly from the amazing Entertainment and Devices teams.
It looks like customer service alone cannot save Best Buy in the current economy, so they’ve offered 4,000 corporate employees a buyout.
