IBM targets senior programmers, sales in latest ‘workforce rebalancing’ shake-up
What’s Happening at IBM?
IBM has initiated another round of layoffs as part of its ongoing “workforce rebalancing” effort, with a focus on senior-level programmers, sales, and support personnel. This follows the company’s earlier announcement of a global workforce reduction of 1% to 1.5%.
Details of the Layoffs
- The latest cuts have been reported in places like California and Washington.
- Impacted roles include a mix of sales, technical positions, software roles, and specialized jobs like AI engineers and data scientists.
Official Statements and Context
IBM first announced its rebalancing strategy in early 2024, revealing plans to take a $400 million charge in the first quarter, compared to $300 million in severance charges from Q1 2023. Despite the ongoing layoffs, the company expects its overall employment level to remain stable by the end of 2024.
The company has also acknowledged a longer-term trend of replacing non-customer-facing roles with AI and automation. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna previously indicated that 30% of these positions—around 8,000 jobs—could be automated within five years.
Layoffs in Canada
It remains unclear exactly how many IBM employees in Canada will lose their job as a result of this layoff.
If you’re a non-unionized employee, check out our IBM Layoffs guide. You can also use our free Pocket Employment Lawyer tool for real-time insights.
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About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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