VMware job cuts have begun as Broadcom nears a deadline to close its acquisition

• VMware started cutting jobs this week as Broadcom prepares to acquire it.
• Broadcom has said it expects to close the deal October 30, although China could hold it up.
• Previously, Insider reported that Broadcom was planning drastic job cuts for VMware.

According to LinkedIn posts, VMware has begun layoffs this week as the deadline for Broadcom’s planned acquisition of the cloud company approaches.

Broadcom expects to close its VMware deal by October 30, according to the Financial Times, but China is considering delaying the transaction.

“To my VMware brothers and sisters who were hoping for an offer to stay after the acquisition and didn’t receive one (or haven’t heard yet), I have one message for you: hold your heads up high,” VMware vice president Joel Neeb wrote on LinkedIn Friday.

“I’ve been pretty good at avoiding uncertainty, mergers, bankruptcies, etc. for over 23 years in IT, but now 2023 has some sad news for me,” wrote another employee of VMware. “Starting today, no more wandering in the unknown, I’m looking for new opportunities.”

Insider previously reported that Broadcom was planning significant job cuts, and that VMware employees would either receive a Broadcom offer, a transitional offer, or severance.