Layoff rumors: IBM 16,000 and Microsoft 15,000

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IBM

An independent Web site for IBM employees has been buzzing with rumors that the company will make significant layoffs this month.

One message states that IBM will announce 16,000 layoffs on Jan. 23, affecting workers worldwide. Similar predictions are made in other recent posts on the site, which is run by the Alliance@IBM/Communications Workers of America Local 1701, a union that is trying to organize IBM workers.

...

If the rumored 16,000 figure proves accurate, then, it would equal roughly a 4 percent reduction in headcount.

Company spokesman Fred McNeese said Monday that IBM "does not comment on rumors and speculation."

Microsoft

Reports have emerged that Redmond based tech giant Microsoft is set to slash its global workforce, as the pressure of the current financial crisis takes hold.

Last month, speculation started that Microsoft was looking to cut its staff early in the New Year, with unconfirmed reports suggesting several thousands of employees would start 2009 looking for new jobs.

If the rumor mill is to be believed, the cuts will be in the vicinity of 15,000 employees - approx 17% of all Microsoft staff, and d-day was marked as the 15th Jan 2009.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hmm....No way. I really hate it when the technology sector is affected. I already know IBM will layoff a few thousand, but, Microsoft too? Where's Google?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I really hate it when the technology sector is affected.

You and me both.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Holy cow- the Microsoft unemployed will plague my city

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Holy cow- the Microsoft unemployed will plague my city

Unemployed yuppies can be very annoying. I wish you luck.

In other news

Logitech to slash 15 percent of workforce

Edited January 6, 2009 by A.J.

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Google Layoffs - 10,000 Workers Affected

Google has been quietly laying off staff and up to 10,000 jobs could be on the chopping block according to sources. Since August, hundreds of employees have been laid off and there are reports that about 500 of them were recruiters for Google.

5 Reasons Why Not to Be Shocked by Microsoft Layoffs

1. Windows Vista was a bust, and MSFT is moving quickly to get Windows 7 to the market.

2. Windows Live Search still can’t catch Google–and failed attempts to buy Yahoo cost the company time and money.

3. Who really needs Microsoft Office, when we can either download free alternatives or, in my opinion even better, move to the cloud?

4. XBox 360, while doing better than the Playstation 3, was "pwnd" by Nintendo’s Wii gaming system.

5. The Zune? Yeah, folks just loved it when their iPod alternative froze recently–that’ll help sales.

[mawilson 2,133]

Holy cow- the Microsoft unemployed will plague my city

No-one else will hire them either - who needs crappy programmers?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Holy cow- the Microsoft unemployed will plague my city

Unemployed yuppies can be very annoying. I wish you luck.

OMFG now the Google-ites as well???? #######

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Holy cow- the Microsoft unemployed will plague my city

No-one else will hire them either - who needs crappy programmers?

Plenty of people needed crappy programmers back when everybody was buying whatever they were told to buy.

Today, different story. Quality is back.

And to think, I once laughed at an old AT&T dinosaur who said this would happen.

[NickD 203]

MS actually has enough employees to even lay off 15,000? Here, I was under the impression that Bill was writing all those programs.

Would be nice if they hired one guy that could write a program that works the first time. But that would lay off millions of people that depend on fixing MS #######.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I was under the impression that Bill was writing all those programs.

Cute.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I was under the impression that Bill was writing all those programs.

No - he is playing philanthropist now.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Microsoft and Bill suck

Edited January 6, 2009 by TävôLuDô

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Microsoft and Bill suck

I tell you - they have half the city in their names. The University of Washington Law School is named after his dad. It's ridiculous.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Len, don't be hatin