AOL seeks 2,500 job cuts globally

In addition to the current 100 layoffs the company is making at social networking site subsidiary Bebo, it is looking to reduce its workforce by a third by offering employees voluntary redundancy.

The voluntary redundancy programme is initially being rolled out across the US, which houses 4,500 staff, from 4 December  to 11 December. AOL is evaluating a similar programme offering internationally, where it has 2,300 employees. It is not clear how many will be directly affected in the UK.

If the company's target of 2,500 voluntary redundancies is not met over the next few months, it will look to make non-voluntary cuts.

An AOL spokesman said: "The programme is being driven to reduce costs and a decision about impacts and specific countries will be made based on what we need to do to align resources to our strategy."

The majority of the 20-stronghold Bebo team in the UK are under a 30-day consultation, as part of a restructure being dealt with by head of global operations Stephane Panier.

Bebo's UK sales team is expected to fold into AOL's sales force as part of the 100 planned worldwide layoffs at the social networking site.

This article was first published on mediaweek.co.uk