Qualcomm Begins Layoffs

Dylan McGrath, EETimes
4/19/2018 01:01 AM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO — Qualcomm has begun laying off an unspecified number of full-time and temporary workers as part of a cost-cutting plan announced in January.

A Qualcomm spokesperson confirmed to EE Times that the workforce reductions have begun. The layoffs had been reported earlier in the day by news services including Bloomberg and Reuters.

"We first evaluated non-headcount expense reductions, but we concluded that a workforce reduction is needed to support long-term growth and success, which will ultimately benefit all our stakeholders," the spokesperson said in an email exchange with EE Times.

Qualcomm told investors in January that it would enact a $1 billion cost reduction program. The pledge was made in a letter to investors as the company's board of directors battled a hostile takeover attempt by Broadcom.

"A workforce reduction, such as this one, affects not only those employees who are part of the reduction, but their families, co-workers and the community. We recognize this and have offered affected employees supportive severance packages to reduce the impact of this transition on them.

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