According to Silicon Republic, IBM is preparing to cut thousands of jobs from its global workforce of roughly 270,000 people. The company confirmed it’s executing workforce actions in the fourth quarter that will impact a “low single-digit percentage” of employees across its operations in 170+ countries. While IBM hasn’t specified exact numbers, some sources suggest the cuts could reach as high as 50% in specific divisions. The layoffs come as IBM shifts focus toward higher-growth software and services segments. A spokesperson noted that despite the cuts, overall employment figures “will remain flat year over year,” suggesting hiring in other areas. These reductions follow similar moves by Amazon, which plans to cut up to 30,000 corporate positions, and Meta, which recently eliminated 600 jobs in its Superintelligence Labs.
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The bigger picture
Here’s the thing about IBM’s latest move – it’s not really surprising when you look at the broader tech landscape. Basically, everyone’s rebalancing after the hiring frenzy of the pandemic years. Amazon’s cutting thousands, Meta’s trimming fat, and now IBM’s joining the party. But what’s interesting is how IBM is framing this as a strategic shift rather than just cost-cutting.
The company’s been trying to pivot toward higher-margin software and services for years now. Remember when they sold their legacy infrastructure business to Kyndryl? That was part of the same playbook. Now they’re apparently doubling down on areas where they see real growth potential. It’s a classic case of a tech giant trying to stay relevant in a rapidly changing market.
What this means for workers
So what does “low single-digit percentage” actually mean? With 270,000 employees, we’re talking anywhere from 2,700 to maybe 8,000 people losing their jobs. That’s a massive number, even if it’s framed as a small percentage. And the fact that they’re targeting specific divisions suggests this isn’t across-the-board trimming – they’re surgically removing roles they no longer need.
The spokesperson’s comment about employment staying “flat year over year” is telling too. They’re basically saying they’ll hire in growth areas while cutting elsewhere. For affected workers, that’s cold comfort – your specific job is still gone, even if the company overall maintains headcount. It’s the corporate version of “we’re not firing you, we’re just eliminating your position.”
Bigger tech trends at play
Look, this isn’t happening in a vacuum. We’re seeing a major recalibration across the entire tech sector. Companies over-hired during the COVID boom when digital everything was exploding. Now reality’s setting in, and everyone’s looking at their balance sheets. The difference with IBM is they’ve been through this cycle before – they’re practically veterans of corporate restructuring.
What’s fascinating is watching how different companies handle these cuts. Amazon’s being pretty blunt about over-hiring. Meta’s using “performance management” language. And IBM? They’re using that classic corporate speak about “rebalancing” and “strategic focus.” Different flavors, same bitter medicine for the people affected.
The real question is whether this represents a temporary correction or a permanent shift in how tech companies staff themselves. Are we just seeing post-pandemic adjustment, or is this the new normal for an industry that’s maturing? Only time will tell, but for thousands of IBM employees, the answer’s already painfully clear.
