Thread regarding VMware layoffs

Having gone through a Broadcom acquisition myself I'll tell you this: it will be a rough journey, some people will leave, some will be let go. The people that stay will be part of a highly successful and profitable business, have ample opportunities and space for growth, while being exceptionally well rewarded financially. It's hard to see it this way when you're on the starting point of the acquisition, but looking at it in perspective, I cannot imagine being more satisfied with any other employer, even despite the rough ride we've endured to get here. Broadcom is what a winning company looks like, best stop complaining about the details and look at the broader picture. Unless you cannot live without the details, in which case you're likely better off elsewhere :)

Make no mistake about it, VMware will be 100% expected to adhere to the Broadcom business model. It may take more time for that to happen than in the case of CA and Symantec because of VMware’s size, but it absolutely will happen.

If you buy into the Broadcom business model and are retained, you will be financially rewarded.

The WFH situation almost caused me to leave before Broadcom completed its acquisition of my company. I was a remote employee at my previous company and Broadcom didn’t have any offices near my home. So, I have been allowed to continue to work from home. In cases of hiring new employees, though, Broadcom generally will only hire people who will work in one of their offices.

As someone who has worked remotely for 12+ years, I appreciate the benefits of WFH. I don’t know if I would ever accept a job that required my presence in the office. On the other hand, one can’t argue with Hock Tan’s proven record of success. He knows how to run a profitable company and those who contribute to Broadcom’s success share in the rewards to a much greater extent than at other companies.

If I remember correctly our ex-CA CEO "Mike the Bike" was paid 41 million in the deal with Broadcom. I mean that's the same as winning the lottery for regular people.

executives lie.
if employees leave early I expect the numbers will be bad reporting to wall street and maybe this is part of what is baked into the plan, maybe they want lots of employees to leave so they don't have to pay severance. What they will see is the A players will leave and that's probably ok too. I don't expect that BC track record will change and its been made clear what the intention is - I don't see any surprises there.

Anyone who believes what the management puppet says would be the biggest fool

VMW management and especially those who'll make tens of millions like Sumit and Raghu will say whatever in order to make this deal happen.

VMware employees are already looking for other jobs

VMware management is going to say whatever they need to say to try and keep employees calm and not bolt for the door. Execs will make millions in change in control. The most important question is this: Broadcom has said they want to take VMware from 30% margins ($3.5b EBITDA) to 60% margins ($8.5b EBITDA) in 3yrs. How do you get to those goals without laying off half of VMware? Unlikely Broadcom can double VMware revenue, because Q1 performance of only 3% growth was way below expectations.

Yes, Dhawan will participate in the change-in-control programme if the deal goes through, which means anything he says should be taken with a pinch of salt since the whole purpose of that agreement is to motivate executives to get to the finish line in as sane a manner as possible.

See

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1124610/000119312521158407/d513266dex102.htm

which also lists the terms of VMware's change in control programme.

He will get at least $10M

Don't believe a word VMware management says, other than what they are TOLD to say from Broadcom, and that won't be much. VMware management are simply puppets on a string. When the deal closes, VMware management will get their marching orders.

This brings me no real comfort. My opinions are going to continue to be attached to the way the previous acquisitions were treated. Past actions, especially if set to a reliable pattern, tends to lead to future actions. Perhaps if the Broadcom execs were seeing this sentiment they would come forward and at least give some level of reassurance to prevent hordes of employees fleeing the ship.

I mean Hock and Krause said on the investor call it would be different too. Difference between buying a dead company and one that is still making decent money.

I kind of agree with the posts above but we need to remember that currently we are employees and paid to do a job. Therefore we should be getting on with it.

Yes; Hock is going to change his entire business model for VMWare and not cut anyone and actually grow the headcount. He will then allow everyone to work from home and create layers of management and probably even create a diversity team and people in charge of morale and culture too. He may even change to have everyone sit in private offices.

VMWARE management is saying what they need to say to keep the business running. I promise Hock and Tom are not making any statements on VMWARE will be any different than all other acquisitions. While the model may not be employee friendly (for those fired), it is for shareholders.

VMware management will say anything to keep employess around so that they can make their numbers and maintain the deal value. Dhawan is likely getting $ millions out of this deal. Broadcom has to fix VMwares numbers. VMware has 1/4 the revenue per employy and 1/2 the profit margin. VMware is terrible by every measure. The only metric that VMware can brag about is DEI numbers and their rating on Best Place to Work.

I don’t really wanna find out...