Intel workers are being lined up for 'separation programmes'

One-on-one meetings about cuts to the company’s Irish operations are underway today.

By Fora Staff May 4th 2016 2 min read

INTEL WORKERS IN Ireland are being told whether they are eligible for so-called ‘separation programmes’ as the tech giant looks to cull more than 10% of its global workforce.

Meetings are happening on a one-to-one basis at the company’s Kildare facility.

Employees received a memo from general manager Eamonn Sinnott last week informing them that the worldwide restructuring would impact Irish operations. Some 12,000 positions are expected to be axed from the company’s global headcount.

Described as a ‘separation programme’ by the company, it is still not clear how many people will be impacted in Ireland. The current understanding, based on global figures, is that fewer than 500 jobs will be cut, but no announcement on a final number has been made.

The firm is seeking voluntary redundancies initially and all meetings are happening individually with none taking place at a wider level. Staff are being given a number of weeks to make a decision on the redundancy package.

Sources have told TheJournal.ie that there will be enticements for older staff and redundancy packages above statutory entitlements. Over the next two months, decisions will also be made about what projects will be cancelled.

Counselling services will be offered to those who lose their jobs, as well as their dependents.

Sinnott acknowledged in the staff memo that the restructuring activities “will be a difficult process” and that the team should “be mindful and take care of each other”.

The note, however, also states that the Kildare, Shannon and Cork facilities remain “critical to the future growth of the company”.

Intel’s plans include moving away from selling computer chips for PCs and focusing on other wares that could be more profitable. Sinnott today described it as an “evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices”.

Intel Ireland has made no comment on the situation.