It is unclear how many have fallen to the executioner's axe but those who are going received notice yesterday. The note reads:

 "Broadcom recently completed its acquisition of VMware. As part of integration planning, and following an organizational needs assessment, we identified go-forward roles that will be required within the combined company. We regret to inform you that your position is being eliminated and your employment will be terminated."

"We would like to thank you for your dedication and service. We want to make this transition as smooth as possible, including offering you a generous severance package and providing you a non-working paid notice period," the email continued.

VMware employed more than 38,000 people and already cut jobs before the acquisition closed. VMware sent a letter to employees in September saying that they would be offered a job by Broadcom, offered a transitional role, or receive a severance package.

Some VMware employees speculated that Broadcom could spin out certain units.

Several top VMware executives have left the cloud-computing company over the past year. Some VMware employees said they worried about a culture clash with Broadcom, especially since Broadcom required workers to return to the office. They said some deals had slowed as clients waited for news about VMware's fate.