World's 20 Biggest Layoffs

Bangalore: As economic slowdown grips the global economy, companies across the world are laying off workers. Let's take a look at some of the biggest layoffs in the world.

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational hardware and software corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, United States. It provides products, technologies, software, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health and education sectors.

Global Rank In Cuts: 1

Jobs Lost (2011): 27,275

Percent Of Employees Cut: 7.8 percent

Number Of Employees After Cuts: 322,325

American Airlines

American Airlines, operating as American Airlines (AA), is a major U.S. airline and a subsidiary of AMR Corporation. American Airlines operates an extensive international and domestic network, with scheduled flights throughout North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific. On November 29, 2011, AMR Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey stepped down and was replaced by company president Thomas W. Horton.

Global Rank In Cuts: 2

Jobs Lost (2011): 14,200

Percent Of Employees Cut: 17.7 Percent

Number Of Employees After Cuts: 65,900