RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Lenovo has confirmed that it is cutting costs but won’t say that it is making any layoffs.
In a statement issued Thursday after WRAL TechWire first reported that cuts and layoffs were being made, Lenovo said in a statement to media outlets:
“Like every business today, we are continually managing our cost structure to ensure long-term competitiveness, including undertaking targeted expense saving actions in certain areas.”
Lenovo did not elaborate.
WRAL TechWire reported last month that Lenovo was letting go independent contractors and was mulling layoffs as well as pay freezes and other moves to reduce expenses.
Lenovo and IBM, both of which have a large presence in the Triangle, are moving to reduce expenses as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hammer businesses worldwide. However, surveys from the North Carolina Technology Association have found that most tech firms are either hiring additional workers or maintaining their workforce headcount. NC TECH also reports that thousands of tech-related jobs remain available across North Carolina.
Workers speak out
Tips from workers and information posted at TheLayoff.com said that the world’s top PC manufacturer was making layoffs in its Data Center business group which is based in RTP.
“Well the layoffs have have begun in the RTP offices today,” one post read.
“People are being handed their pink slips in 1 on 1’s [meetings].”
That same group was hit by 500 layoffs last year.
“I just got told I’m being let go. Almost 21 years between IBM and Lenovo to the day full time and couple years of co-ops before that,” one affected worker wrote at the internet jobs site TheLayoff.com.
“It feels really strange leaving the place that’s pretty much been a constant for over half my life. I’m excited to try something new but it sure feels different right now.”
Lenovo operates one of its two global headquarters in Morrisville. The other is located in Beijing.
