Qualcomm layoffs in India: Over 1,000 jobs reportedly at risk, check severance package details
The reported job cuts could affect 5–6 per cent of Qualcomm India's workforce, including experienced senior engineers.
Affected employees are being offered 3–5 months' salary as severance, with additional compensation based on tenure and early acceptance of separation terms.
Layoffs have reportedly impacted Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF and GNSS divisions.
Popular chip maker Qualcomm has reportedly begun laying off its staff in India. This process began in Bengaluru and Hyderabad on November 9, and the major restructuring could affect more than 1,000 employees, according to sources, Moneycontrol reported. Among the affected roles in this round of layoffs are highly experienced senior engineers. The news outlet noted the restructuring is also expected to expand to the company's Chennai and Delhi-NCR offices.
Qualcomm India layoffs: Affected workforce and severance
While Qualcomm has yet to officially quote a number of affected positions, the change is said to affect 5-6 per cent of the around 20,000-strong workforce. The report added that the severance offered to the affected employees ranges from 3 to 5 months of their salary. Additional compensation is being offered based on an employee’s tenure, sources familiar with the matter told the news outlet.
Furthermore, employees approving the exit formalities within the first three days of intimation, an additional month of salary is reportedly being offered as an incentive on the grounds of early acceptance of the terms. However, readers should note that the company is yet to publicly issue a statement on the move. We have requested Qualcomm for comment on the matter.
Qualcomm layoffs India: Employees share reactions
Speaking to Moneycontrol, several employees were quoted as saying they were laid off despite strong performance over the years and good ratings, implying the decision could be affected by factors other than performance. The layoffs follow a previous round of global job cuts on October 20, which was announced after Qualcomm’s performance review process.
According to the sources cited in the report, the decision involves a combination of performance, assessments at the team level and the decision-making of the senior members, involving leaders from the US. Employees also claim job reductions have taken place in the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio frequency and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) divisions.
For the unaware, the India layoffs follow a major leadership change. Qualcomm recently appointed Rajen Vagadia as interim president in place of Indian president Savi Soin. The recent job cuts come amid the crisis affecting the smartphone market globally due to the increased prices of storage and RAM components and mounting pressure from competition such as Apple and MediaTek chipsets.