HP cuts marketing jobs in layoff

HP announced plans to cut 1,770 jobs by April, a move the company said was not related to economic slowdowns. HP officials said the layoffs are part of HP’s corporate restructuring program, the same work that has reduced HP’s divisions from 83 to 16.

The layoffs will be exclusively in marketing positions, and workers can apply for other unfilled sales and consulting jobs at HP. The company hasn’t eliminated positions like this since 1988, when it reported some employees were being “excessed.” The 1,770 jobs represent about 2 percent of HP’s work force of 88,500. Layoff plans were announced to employees in an internal memo in late January. Workers who will be let go are to be notified this month.

The revision of marketing forces at HP came within a week of the company’s first quarter finish for fiscal 2001. CEO Carly Fiorina said that HP customers’ corporate spending “decelerated rapidly” during December.