VMware? VM... now where? It's that time of the year again when Dell's virtualization software giant sheds staff

Hundreds or more said to be chopped worldwide

VMware today laid off staff across the globe in various roles and departments.

The virtualization software giant would not put an exact number on those affected in what seems like an annual round of layoffs: it tends to trim its workforce around this time of the year.

Some folks have suggested at least 220 workers were axed, a figure the biz did not dispute. The Silicon Valley giant noted that some of the chopped staffers could find other roles within the organization, so the final number may go up or down.

"This is a part of regular workforce rebalancing that ensures resources across VMware’s global businesses and geographies are aligned with strategic objectives and customer needs," a VMware spokesperson told The Register on Tuesday.

"We have an active employee support program to ensure, where possible, impacted employees will be redeployed to open roles within VMware."

Now-ex-employees have taken to Twitter to break the news and seek new gigs, for example:

Today I learned my role @vmware has been eliminated. If you know of any awesome orgs looking for a passionate, values driven people person let me know! While this kind of news is never easy, I’m eager for my next adventure!

— Katie Morrissey (@kmo_katiem) January 28, 2020

Hi friends, unfortunately I've been riffed at @VMware today. Any help is greatly appreciated! Going to keep charging ahead to find a new role, I still believe in this company and our tech! Looking forward to the next chapter #vExpert #vCommunity #vSAN

— Tony Reeves (@importcarguy) January 28, 2020

Failed my dodge roll and got hit by the latest round of VMware layoffs - position was eliminated. (Wow, this tweet sure does sound familiar.)

So, if you've got jobs for a systems engineer, I've got the need for one.

— A Walton (@awalton) January 28, 2020

Among those said to be caught up in the layoffs are the vSAN inside sales team. People across the company were called into meetings today and let go. One VMware bod said: "So many were affected today."

The cuts come as Dell-owned VMware, which employs 24,000 people worldwide, integrates the techies and products it took on when it acquired Dell-owned Pivotal last year. The Register heard Pivotal experienced its own round of layoffs last month, as a result of the merger, with as many as 150 people let go particularly where there were overlapping roles.

The layoffs are the latest in what has been a tough several days for the virtualization specialist. Late last week, word broke that a US district court in Delaware had sided against VMware, and in favor of Densify, in a $235m patent infringement showdown. VMware said it plans to challenge the ruling. ®

Have you been affected by the VMware layoffs? Let us know.