COMPUTER MANUFACTURER Hewlett Packard has asked a third of its 4,000 staff in Ireland to take eight days’ leave in March or April so it can temporarily close part of its Irish operation.
Over the past few days the company has written to all staff at its Dublin Inkjet Manufacturing Operation (DIMO) in Leixlip, Co Kildare, to make the request.
HP plans to shut the DIMO manufacturing plant over a period between St Patrick’s Day and Easter. Staff have been asked to take either annual leave or unpaid leave during this time.
A spokeswoman for the company said this move was to “ensure operating efficiency across the business”.
It was not the first time such a step had been taken at the company’s Irish operation, the spokeswoman added. This move does not have wider implications for the company’s Irish operation, which is constantly reviewing its business, she said.
The company has its headquarters in California and operates in 170 countries around the world.
Hewlett Packard in Ireland also employs staff in sales, finance, research and development and customer support. These divisions will not be affected.
