The job-cutting process at IBM UK has changed from voluntary to compulsory.

Managers at IBM Global Services in the UK were originally looking for volunteers to cut head count by about 500. But even though they got more than this number of volunteers the process is going to become compulsory for some people.

A source told the Register: "It's a mess, especially after all the pensions trouble. People facing redundancy will now be notified by 1 June and will leave IBM on 5 July. It is being run from the top - lower down managers don't know what is going on."

Early last month IBM cut around 1,600 jobs from its US headcount.

In the UK IBM began a period of consultation on jobs at the end of February, and a few days later Big Blue announced voluntary redundancies.

IBM said it could not comment because to do so would be inappropriate while the consultation with staff continues. ®