Dell is poised for its biggest job-slashing program for four years, according to reports.

A Register reader got in touch to tell us he had heard that 180 jobs will go in the UK and Ireland but staff were still in the dark.

Dell UK is unwilling to talk about job cuts blaming the "quiet period" before the desktop giant posts financial results. But company spokespeople in the US have confirmed that job cuts are likely to be the most significant since 2001 when Dell laid off 5,700 people.

A spokeswoman for Dell UK was only able to say: "It is true we are enhancing the structure and distribution of work." Asked by a confused Register if this meant job cuts she confirmed that: "Adjustments to our business include job cuts."

Texan paper the Austin American-Statesman said hundreds of Dell workers were laid off on Friday. A Dell spokesman would not give figures but told the paper the layoffs were the largest since 2001 when the firm got rid of almost one in four US workers. Dell employs some 18,000 people in Austin and Waco.

The paper said the cuts were due to a reorganisation of Dell's consumer division. It reports that senior staff were among those clearing their desks.

The full story is here.

Speculation continues on employee forum ihatedell.net - have a look here.®

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