In May, Xerox told employees in its product engineering group that it was in talks with India-based IT services firm HCL Technologies.

According to Xerox, HCL will assume responsibility for certain aspects of Xerox's mechanical, electrical and software engineering activities. HCL already does some IT work for the company.

The affected employees work in California, New York, Oregon and the Netherlands. In one location, Brewster, N.Y., about 250 employees are affected, making it one of the hardest hit divisions.

Since the initial announcement, Xerox has provided the employees with more detail about what's ahead for them.

A Xerox spokesman said employees have the option of transferring to HCL or participating a "voluntary leave program." The program was announced June 1, and they will have a minimum of 45 days to decide whether to participate. The company said it expects "a modest" number to leave.