HP to cut up to 6,000 jobs, impacting 10-12% of workforce

HP Inc. has announced plans to cut between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs globally, amounting to roughly 10-12 percent of its current 58,000-strong workforce. The reductions will primarily affect product development teams, internal operations, and customer-support units, as the company leans heavily on AI to automate workflows, streamline operations, and enhance competitiveness. These layoffs are expected to generate approximately 1 billion USD in savings over the next three years.

This is not the first time HP has trimmed its workforce. Earlier in 2025, the company cut around 1,000-2,000 positions under its “Future Now” restructuring plan. Prior to that, selective layoffs occurred in HP’s printing and graphics divisions, including HP Indigo facilities, throughout 2022, 2023, and 2024, targeting specific operational units to improve efficiency and align with strategic priorities. The current plan represents a continuation and scaling up of this ongoing restructuring rather than a first-time event.

Despite the workforce reductions, HP remains highly profitable. In fiscal 2025, the company reported net revenue of US $55.3 billion, a GAAP net profit of about US $2.5 billion, and a non-GAAP net profit of roughly US $3.0 billion. Its free cash flow for the year reached US $2.9 billion, and HP returned US $1.9 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. AI-enabled PCs now account for over 30 percent of shipments, highlighting the company’s pivot toward automation and smart hardware.

Meanwhile, Apple has also trimmed roles, focusing on its sales organization. Account managers handling major business clients, educational institutions, government accounts, and staff at Apple briefing centers were reportedly affected. While Apple has not disclosed exact numbers, the cuts are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and optimize workforce alignment with long-term strategic goals. CEO Tim Cook continues to oversee significant profits and growth, underscoring the contrast between corporate gains and employee losses.

This disparity between executives and employees is increasingly evident across industries. For instance, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz reportedly travels from his home to company headquarters by private jet, even as the company closes stores worldwide citing strategic realignment and profitability goals. Such examples highlight the growing gap between leadership benefits and the survival of employees whose roles are deemed expendable.

The scale of layoffs across the tech sector is staggering. In 2025 alone, at least 218 tech companies have announced workforce reductions worldwide, resulting in over 112,700 job losses, with estimates projecting the total could reach 235,000 by year-end. Companies including Amazon, Meta, Google, Intel, and dozens of others have cut thousands of jobs, leaving hundreds of thousands of workers facing uncertainty and disrupted careers. While automation and AI drive efficiency and growth for corporations, the human cost is profound, as employees who helped build these profitable companies are now being removed in favor of technology-driven operational models.

The 2025 wave of layoffs underscores a critical reality: as technology and AI reshape business models, workers are bearing the brunt of corporate restructuring. HP, Apple, and other global tech giants continue to thrive financially, but the millions of employees affected by layoffs face a challenging landscape where survival and career reinvention have become central concerns.