HP to Compaq it’s work force
Err, compact. To the tune of 14,500 souls, or 10% of its workforce.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. on Tuesday said it will cut 14,500 jobs, about 10 percent of its full-time staff, as part of a restructuring plan designed to save $1.9 billion annually and boost business performance.
The job cuts will occur over the next six quarters, the Palo Alto-based company said.
Most of the job cuts will come in support functions — such as information technology, human resources and finance — and the rest will be made inside business units.
The company said job cuts in sales positions will be minimal, and there will be little change to the headcount in research and development.
One of Houston’s largest employers since taking over Compaq, HP has 8,000 workers in Houston, mostly in HP’s technology solutions business, which includes data-storage products, manufacturing of ProLiant servers, a large research and development operation, call centers, customer support, and sales and marketing.
Face it. Hp/Compaq is in serious trouble and slahing 14,500 over the next year and an half may exacerbate the problem as the more talented and mobile professionals begin to jump ship ahead of any posible layoffs. Good people don’t want to be associatied with percieved loser. Successfully slashing that many people while trying to retain the most talented, and maintain employee moral, can be a touchy operation.
Heck, and we just built the big ole 47 lane highway out to HP/Compaq’s big campus near Tomball, just north or Houston. Well, maybe it will come in handy for something in the future.