Dell UK slammed for 'hiring and firing' lifestyle

So the rumours flooding out of Dell's UK headquarters in Bracknell turned out to be true. The company is waving goodbye to around 230 staff. But it has told Bracknell business officials that it also aims to hire another 150 staff over the next six months.

Bracknell's business community is up in arms over the cuts. Mary Flavelle, executive member of the local Chamber of Commerce, told Bracknell News that the company had received a "rap on the knuckles" from the chamber.

"Staff are not necessarily highly prized and have every right to feel undervalued," she told the newspaper.

"But in the next six months they may be hiring another 150 staff, so it then appears that everything is project-based. If a project does not work, get rid of the department and then hire new staff later on.

"Everyone wants stability coming up to Christmas, and they want stability in the New Year as well. Large companies must take responsibility for the people working for them - they should be their prize assets."

Dell insiders say the cuts are disproportionate to current trading levels and speculate that the company is using the cull to remove "dead wood" - such as managers whose jobs have been transferred to low-cost locations. According to local reports, 20 sales staff have left the company already.

Dell is also cancelling its Christmas party for UK staffers. Which obviously will save the company a lot of money. ®