IBM (NYSE: IBM) has given layoff notices to at least 1600. However, the concrete number is not yet announced, and some are saying that the IBM layoffs may amount up to 6000 to 8000 jobless worldwide.

The mass layoffs followed IBM's worse-than-expected earnings report in April.

National coordinator for the employee group Alliance@IBM, Lee Conrad, commented to Computerworld saying, "IBM should be as forthcoming as all the other companies. We just simply don't understand why they are keeping it a secret and neither do the employees."

The current IBM layoffs so far include 165 in semiconductor R&D, 222 people in marketing, 100 in STG Storage Systems Development, 100 in Software Group Information Management, 100 in Software Group Industry Solutions, and still 100 more in GBS AMS IBM Global Account.

Totally, there have been 1631 layoffs at IBM.

IBM spokesperson Doug Shelton says in a statement: "Change is constant in the technology industry and transformation is an essential feature of [IBM's business model]. Consequently, some [amount of layoffs] is a constant requirement for our business. Given the competitive nature of our industry, we do not publicly discuss the details of staffing plans."

Workers at IBM are in great fear, asking each other, "Who will get a layoff notice next?" Is IBM doing the right thing by scaring its employees over layoffs? Comment about IBM layoffs below!