Thread regarding VMware layoffs

Regarding hopes/belief that the deal goes through, my guess is that there are people who really want this to be over. Whether you are kept FT, working a transition role, or get severance, if the deal closes you know where you stand. It's settled and you can move on without waiting for the shoe to drop. Or not drop.

I think people who got offers are concerned if it fails, because if the deal falls through this is going to start all over again, but with different people rearranging the deck chairs on the H.M.S. VMware. Everyone who has their head on right knows that VMW is going to see significant headcount reduction whichever way this turns out. That might be because Hock Tan doesn't understand software development an intends to drive away all the developers who know the code base, or because MD wants to reduce headcount to lean things out for a different buyer... But either way, business as usual at VMW is dead.

TLDR; I think the belief/hope that this goes through is in large part based on wishful thinking, rather than an objective understanding of the situation and the likelihood of a particular outcome.

What's people's reasoning behind still hoping the deal goes through?
It's now almost 100% certain the deal is dead, same as the QCOM/NXP deal.
It got itself in crossfire between US/CHINA trade war (cold war).
Surprisingly I see here and also on company slack channel and blind, around 50% folks still believe the deal will go through! How come?
I am curious to know what's the reason for them to believe so?
Isn't it quite obvious at this point that the deal is dead?
Biden is not going to undo his chip ban and China won't approve the deal. As simple as that.

“I'm so praying that it will conclude by next week. If it doesn't, I will have no choice but to resign without severance”

Dude for what it’s worth just start your new job….take pto or whatever you need which coincides with when loads of people do this anyway.

Let the vmw bc slow motion train crash and ensure you stay on payroll to get the severance

If the deal goes past the 26th then give resignation at vmw

No way anyone should quit rn before 26th

I'm so praying that it will conclude by next week. If it doesn't, I will have no choice but to resign without severance.

Bro think carefully. Why resign without severance? You’ll lose several benefits if your resign.

I'm so praying that it will conclude by next week. If it doesn't, I will have no choice but to resign without severance.

Totally agree.
It cannot go into the ether until past thanksgiving.
Next week something will have to give

Nov. 26 will be about 18 months.

Intel/Tower took about 18 months before Intel dropped the acquisition after China failed to approve, and then Intel paid a termination fee of $353 million to Tower.

Qualcomm/NXP took about 21 months before Qualcomm dropped the acquisition after China failed to approve, and then Qualcomm paid a termination fee of $2 billion to NXP.

It could go past Nov. 26 if there are any signals from China that there could eventually be an approval, but I bet it will be resolved one way or another before then. Broadcom is responsible for obtaining approval and they would still need to pay $1.5 billion before or after Nov. 26 if they walk away.

Meanwhile everyone with recently vested rsu left holding the bag while JP B sold his likely insider traded before the news about China

Especially so when DOJ/FTC is getting close to finalizing their new draft merger guidelines, which for the first time in history considers impact on labor as a criteria to consider in m&a reviews.

FTC might have not taken action by the statutory waiting period, but they still have the authority to file a lawsuit to block the deal.

The fact that FTC didn't even publish anything about consent order or letter of no contest, and the fact that Broadcom never straight out says they have US/FTC approval speaks volumes. It's like saying a criminal going through trial is innocent because he is innocent until proven guilty.

Yeah this acquisition is botched and delaying will only bring more trouble than the ones already there. at this point it might be the smartest for both VMware and Broadcom's sake to cut the loss, terminate the deal and each go on their own way.