VMware Channel Execs Ravaged by Layoffs

Several VMware channel execs are among the nearly 150 employees losing their jobs as part of a regular workforce “rebalancing.”

Shawn Toldo, vice president of VMware’s Worldwide Partner Organization, is among those losing their jobs. Other VMware channel execs are partner business managers, partner sales managers and partner development specialists.

According to WARN notices filed this week with the California Employment Development Department, 148 workers are losing their jobs. That includes 86 employees who work at VMware‘s Palo Alto, California, headquarters, and 62 remote workers who report to the headquarters.

The layoffs will begin in the fourth quarter. VMware expects they will be permanent, but the company isn’t closing the facility.

The affected employees aren’t union, and they don’t have “bumping” rights; those are provisions that allow senior employees to replace less senior workers.

More than 200 California-based VMware employees lost their jobs in April as part of another workforce rebalancing.

VMware Channel SVP Remains in Place

VMware’s Sandy Hogan

A VMware spokesperson sent us the following statement: “While we are not breaking out the impact by location or business unit/function, Sandy Hogan remains senior vice president, worldwide commercial and partner sales. Regional leadership also remains in place. We can confirm that there have been a limited number of changes to our workforce this month (August 2020). This is part of a regular workforce rebalancing as we realign resources and investments to opportunities at scale.”

VMware’s former global channel chief, Jenni Flinders, left VMware in June. Hogan is her successor.

VMware said it has an “active program to ensure, where possible, impacted employees find them new opportunities within or outside of VMware.”

“Given the ongoing economic uncertainty, we have also taken additional steps to support these employees and their families through the transition,” the spokesperson said. “We continue to recruit in areas of strategic importance for the company.”

Dell Technologies reportedly is exploring selling its 81% stake in VMware. In December 2018, Michael Dell took his company public, buying out shares of VMware tracking stock.