Hewlett-Packard Co. said Monday that it is considering "rebalancing" its Imaging & Printing division, but declined to say whether that will mean layoffs among HP's estimated 3,500 employees in Boise.
Layoff rumors were being fueled by messages posted on an HP message board on Yahoo.com.
Boise State University economics professor Don Holley laughed when informed how the company was couching its future plans.
"Rebalancing?" he said. "That means layoffs."
These, however, won't be typical furloughs because they would come from one of the companies that Holley says make up the Treasure Valley's "economic base."
"If a retailer closes, then another retailer takes its place," Holley said. "But if we lost 1,100 Micron workers, a few hundred Albertsons workers and then some Hewlett-Packard workers, there is nobody to take their place (in the economy)."
In response to an inquiry by the Idaho Statesman, the company issued the following statement:
"As a company, HP is focused on identifying and pursuing growth opportunities and maximizing efficiencies to create best-in-class solutions for our customers.
Consistent with this strategy, HP's Imaging & Printing Group is considering some changes."
Most of HP's employees in Boise are part of the Imaging & Printing Group.
The statement went on to say that any decisions would be communicated internally within the next several months, but added that the company "anticipates these changes will result in workforce re-balancing that reflect this evolution of HP's business."
Spokesman Emma McCulloch said she would not comment beyond what was contained in the statement.
In March 2005, HP announced it was offering voluntary severance packages to an undisclosed number of its 151,000 Imaging & Printing Group workers in the United States and Puerto Rico.
The company later said that 1,905 workers, including 350 in Boise, accepted the company's voluntary severance offer.
Joe Estrella: 377-6465
