Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2014/02/03/dell_disputes_layoff_numbers/

Dell disputes 15k layoff figure: Only a few staffers accepted 'voluntary separations'

Spokesman still won't give us a number

By Chris Mellor

Posted in Channel, 3rd February 2014 17:25 GMT

Dell has denied it is laying off north of 15,000 people, and told The Register today that our sources' numbers are "inaccurate".

Here is Dell Round Rock spokesman David Frink’s email to us in full:

Your story this morning reporting that Dell is laying off 15,000 employees this week/imminently is wildly inaccurate. I can confirm that a very small percentage of Dell’s global team members accepted the company’s recent offer of a significant severance package associated with a voluntary separation program.

Meanwhile, we’re hiring in strategic areas of our business, including hardware and software development, engineering and customer coverage worldwide.

It is accurate that we've taken steps to optimize our business, streamline operations and improve its efficiency over the past few years. And, as any prudent business, we'll continue to review our operations in an effort to remain competitive and best serve customers. Thanks.

Frink’s statement contradicts information from several sources close to and inside Dell. A very small percentage of Dell’s global workforce could be 10 per cent or less. Even a 5 per cent cut would mean over 5,000 people heading for the exit door.

We can understand Dell’s reluctance to provide an actual number but some of its employees have been given percentages and numbers and contacted us, indicating a high degree of concern and thirst for concrete information inside the company.

We wish it well in its transformation and hope it emerges a stronger company as a result of it. ®