"BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) began job cuts about which it had warned last Friday," a Canadian newspaper said.

“A number of employees received layoff notices after arriving for work. There were reports that as many as 200 employees were let go, but those numbers could not be confirmed,” Waterloo Region Record reported.

On Friday, the company had announced that it would reduce its workforce.

The report, quoting a RIM spokesperson, said that he didn''t have any details about job cuts beyond what was announced during a conference call the company held last week to discuss its first-quarter financial results.

“RIM said during the call that it would launch a cost-optimisation programme during the current quarter,” the report added.

The company employs 17,500 people globally, including about 9,000 in more than 25 buildings in Waterloo Region. RIM reported disappointing financial results. Its revenue in the three-month period ended May 28 dropped 12 per cent to $4.9 billion from $5.6 billion in the same period a year ago.