Culver City – Sony Pictures Entertainment is reportedly set to cut up to 450 jobs, around 6.5 percent of its 6,800-strong global workforce. Although home entertainment and IT are expected to be hardest hit, head of international TV Michael Grindon was the first major casualty of this latest round of layoffs. Last year the company cut 250 jobs, approx 3.5 percent of its workers. An internal message to employees said that the business is going through a rough period of trial and transition, pointing to the growth of piracy and the effect of social media on film viewing as factors challenging studios. Most employees whose jobs will be cut are to be notified in March. Early February 2010 saw SPE announce the March departure of Michael Grindon, president, International, Sony Pictures Television (SPT), after 24 years with the company.