Reports are starting to filter from a reliable source with PalmInfoCenter that an unknown number of Palm Inc. employees are being laid off and not expecting to return:
From PalmInfoCenter:
updated Rumor: PalmInfocenter has heard from reliable source that Palm is announcing layoffs today. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Palm has already begun to notify employees and a possible announcement may come sometime later this week.
Palm currently employs around 1,247 people. While we don't have an official confirmation at this time, a few ex-employees have come forward with claims that the layoffs are worldwide and could number in the hundreds. The company had their last round of layoffs back in June, with reports indicating around 100 people were let go.
This is not so good.
Palm hasn't been having an easy time and this may be to stave off any continued negative financial fallout from lower profits and not getting a certain device ready in time for delivery.
But still, these are people and it is always more hurtful to be staring down a termination slip around the holidays.
Why is it always the little guys who suffer when management screws up a company?
So much for striving to be mediocre.
Let's all hope tomorrow brings some sanity and clarity to this situation and all the people at Palm will still have a job to go in the morning.
via EngadgetMobile
This certainly does not look good, regardless of how you try to spin it. Yes, the most optimistic spin is that they will now be able to stop the bleeding and fully focus and concentrate on whatever new product lines or stay afloat or whatever. But, considering the history and events that has led up to this point, it certainly is not very good. I really can't see any good news so far aside from their Centro which seems to sell well, but apparently, Palm has somehow been able to make it work against them.
Posted by: maceyr | December 13, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Thanks for the comment Maceyr
It's never a good thing to hear when folks are going to be let go because management couldn't see well enough to keep the ship moving to higher heights.
Palm has been languishing for a long time and then poured millions into the Foleo project. Instead of the "brain trust" who thought the Foleo was a good idea getting the ax, it's the little guys.
Not saying Palm's problems started at the Foleo, but you don't see those folks in the unemployment line.
Posted by: Contributing Writer, Aaron J. Walker | December 13, 2007 at 09:04 AM