Thread regarding VMware layoffs

2021 layoffs - dates and numbers?

Someone posted on this board a couple of days ago claiming to have first-hand information about large layoffs hitting NSBU as early as February, and that the extent of the layoffs could be 3-5X larger then the ones we’ve had last year. If those rumors turn out to be even partially true, and even worse, if that practice is implemented company-wide, then it’s not hard to conclude that we’re looking at the elimination of whole teams, and that most of us could end up jobless.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that 2021 will be the year of layoffs and that big restructures are in the making, but I was hoping that we would be safe at least till spring.

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Post ID: @OP+18UoaQDk

22 replies (most recent on top)

Was laid off just now. Don't have full details currently, but its 2 months on payroll and severance that is still not received.

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Post ID: @cqdq+18UoaQDk

Anyone heard who was affected? I was in MAPBU.

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Post ID: @cjrl+18UoaQDk

Is there any media covereage?

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Post ID: @crpy+18UoaQDk

Sorry to hear. Mind sharing what BU are you in?

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Post ID: @cqou+18UoaQDk

Was just laid off. I don't have all details yet, but it sounds like its what others have said, 2 months to find another job internally or externally.

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Post ID: @cdvn+18UoaQDk

Confirmed layoffs happened today.

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Post ID: @cqwj+18UoaQDk

Was laid off Jan 28th last year, ended up being a blessing, work environment was sh–. I never knew how unhappy I was until I was away from that place. For those that do get the ax it isn't the end of the world. Keep your chin up, was not horrible getting a new job coming from VMware.

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Post ID: @citi+18UoaQDk
  • as sad as it sounds, gossip is king at vmware and a lot of managers and individual contributors close to managers know. Some managers even hint to the affected people about the layoffs.

Because of lack of performance reviews, every layoff is very political driven and good people can get affected.
I am hoping the new CEO will change that.

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Post ID: @cotc+18UoaQDk

VMware holds things as close to the vest as any company I have ever seen so HR and Sr. Director level would be my guess for who is in the know. During layoffs in '16 not even the Sr. Managers were told for sure there would be layoff's even when it was obvious that there would be.

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Post ID: @bjcr+18UoaQDk

With layoffs happening tomorrow, who within VMW already knows who will be impacted? Only HR? Or does senior leadership already know? If so, what level has visibility now? VP level? Director level?

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Post ID: @bbai+18UoaQDk

Anyone a clue what the package would be in the UK ?

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Post ID: @bsuv+18UoaQDk

They are about due, I will give you that, but I have been around for awhile, and never seen the big riff's happen on a single day. The layoffs are coordinated between HR and management. They are typically spread out across a couple days. So hearing Jan 26 is The Day, sounds more like Y2K.

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Post ID: @bvwa+18UoaQDk

Talked to a senior manager yesterday and date is still supposed to be January 26. If it is 26 in Palo Alto then by afternoon of 26, it is 27 in India. So holiday or not, it will work out.

I hope my colleagues in Bangalore are enjoying their long weekend.

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Post ID: @bijg+18UoaQDk

26th Jan for real???
It's a holiday for us in India. Well, no one said you can't be laid off on holidays.
It would be real sad though.

Please don't hate me for being Indian.

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Post ID: @adqt+18UoaQDk

January 26 is the confirmed date.

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Post ID: @apab+18UoaQDk

What’s the size of package?

Last August was 4 months on payroll full benefit
or 2 months on payroll + 2 months of severance

Last January was 2 months on payroll, 2 months of severance and 1 week for each year of service capped to 8 weeks? (Not sure about this)

There is always an aspect of the severance package that is not disclosed: would be nice to have some details.

Can anyone confirm?

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Post ID: @9pvp+18UoaQDk

Last year the layoffs were done on the Tuesday before year end, so keep an eye out for Jan 26. They go out of their way to pay everything that is owed to affected employees, so all bonuses and commissions earned in the fiscal year are safe.

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Post ID: @5ocr+18UoaQDk

If history is any guide the Tuesday a week or two before earnings would be a good guess when.

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Post ID: @2prx+18UoaQDk

You should get the bonus. Although it pays out in April, it's your bonus for the previous fiscal year.

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Post ID: @1bws+18UoaQDk

My take on the bonus question below.
Generally, after layoff, we are on company payroll for two months to find job internally or externally.
Then at the end of that, we paid one week per year served in VMware and are officially asked to leave the company. This may vary depending on the respective state laws.
So, I believe, we would be paid over bonuses before final bye-bye.

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Post ID: @1uts+18UoaQDk

Yes

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Post ID: @1zld+18UoaQDk

Here is a related question: VMware's fiscal year ends at the end of January. Many employees are on an annual bonus plan, which means the bonus assessment period ends along with the fiscal year at the end of January. Normally there is a lag between when the bonus period ends, and the bonuses get paid (usually a couple of months). So, if an employee who has earned a bonus as of the end of January gets laid off in February would they still get paid their bonus in March or April?

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Post ID: @1wzk+18UoaQDk

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