Cisco Systems began laying off employees at its Research Triangle Park campus on Tuesday. The company confirmed it is cutting jobs but would not disclose how many. It also is continuing to hire at the site, and laid-off workers can apply for open positions, the company says.
A company spokesperson declined to say how extensive the layoffs are.
Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) operates its second largest campus in RTP. The largest is its headquarters in Silicon Valley.
Some 4,700 people are employed in RTP, according to the company.
The cuts are not just local but international.
Cisco recently announced plans to cut some 6,000 workers, or 8 percent of its global work force, as part of a reorganization. Chairman and CEO John Chambers said a month ago that cuts would be made as Cisco shifted manpower and resources to growth markets and opportunities.
The company also recently said it would add some 500 jobs in RTP.
Robyn Blum, Corporate PR Manager, Global Corporate Communications, confirmed that layoffs had begun and also said Cisco continues to hire with a number of positions available in RTP.
“Notification of affected employees began today,” Blum told WRAL News.
However, she said Cisco remained committed to adding jobs in North Carolina.
“Cisco plans to fulfill our commitment to hiring an increase of 550 jobs in RTP over the next four years,” she explained.
“As part of this limited restructuring and our transformation moving forward, we are aligning employees now to invest in growth priority areas, and we will continue to invest in talent that drives our future.
“Cisco views RTP as an innovative region with talented people who will help us achieve this goal.”
But when asked how many people were affected locally, she replied: “Cisco provides information regarding affected employees to the relevant state and local officials in compliance with applicable law. Beyond that, Cisco does not comment on details of its job actions.”
Laid-off workers will receive severance, other benefits and outplacement service, she added.
