Among other countries where HP announced layoffs, France is the hardest hit. At the end of July, the U.S. computer giant unveiled a restructuring plan to simplify its structure, reduce costs and place greater focus on its customers.

HP said it expected the actions to save $1.9 billion annually. But not without causing harm. HP plans to reduce its workforce over the next six quarters by 14,500 employees, or about 10 percent of its regular full-time staff, and modify its U.S. retirement benefits programs.

HP France now employs 4,800 workers, mainly in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Grenoble, l’Isle d’Abeau, Les Ulis and Sophia Antipolis. Following a meeting Monday, unions indicated that 1,240 would be shed in France, or 21 percent of HP’s European workforce and 26 percent of its French workforce, between now and 2008.

The cuts were confirmed by Patrick Nowak, HP France’s CEO.

The TF1’s Web site here, citing Nowak as its source, said HP’s R&D unit (HP CCF – Centre de Compétence France) will account for 60 percent of the cuts, while its unit in charge of customer relations will account for 40 percent. HP employee meetings are scheduled for throughout the week in Europe, with German workers meeting next on Tuesday.

By: DocMemory
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