First Data laying off 250

First Data Corp. will lay off about 250 of its 25,000 workers worldwide, including an undisclosed number in Omaha, as it ends certain programs, company officials said today.

"This is a rebalancing of our workforce as business needs change," said Elizabeth Grice, director of communications.

Grice said about 5,000 people work in Omaha, but she didn't know precisely how many would lose their jobs.

She said the company is laying off about 1 percent of its global workforce. If that percentage were applied across the board, it would be about 50 people in Omaha.

"All employees losing their jobs will be eligible to receive severance benefits and outplacement services," Grice said.