HP to slash 9,000 jobs

HP will cut 9,000 jobs around the world as it introduces greater automation in its data centres.

The move follows HP completing the integration of EDS, which it bought for $13.9 billion two years ago.

“Over the past 20 months, we focused on integrating EDS and improving profitability,” said Tom Iannotti, senior vice president and general manager of HP Enterprise Services, in a statement. “Now that the integration is largely complete, we have identified significant opportunities to grow and scale the business.”

Those opportunities involve consolidating and automating the data centres and services it offers. The job cuts will come as a result of “productivity gains and automation,” the company said.

While HP will slash 9,000 jobs, it will replace 6,000 of those roles with sales and services staff, the firm claimed.

The job cuts will take place over the next few years. HP is not yet disclosing where in the world the job cuts will occur, with a spokeswoman saying “final decisions have not been made” and were subject to negotiations with local employee representatives.

Should the move affect the UK, it will likely further infuriate workers already angry about pay and job cuts. Last year, union workers ran a series of strikes until the two sides reached an agreement this March.