AMD denies reports of layoffs under way

Two separate AMD spokespersons denied to BetaNews this afternoon published reports that the company was already implementing a five percent workforce reduction, and that employees were already receiving pink slips.

"AMD confirms that it has not had a reduction in force," states one AMD spokesperson today. "While AMD cannot comment on speculation about what may happen in the future, we confirm that we have not had layoffs at this time."

The second spokesperson indicated that it is "official," in the spokesperson's words, "that we have not had a workforce reduction." That statement too made clear that it only applied to the present, not the future, but it also added a rebuke for the publication from which the "rumor/speculation" was originally reported, The Inquirer.

AMD is about to enter the second year of a massive restructuring program, during which the company is bracing to withstand more painful cost reductions. Layoffs could come, though that axe has been suspended over the company's employees for quite some time now.

The company is expected to issue its quarterly earnings statement for the first quarter of this year, in mid-April.