Microsoft announced yesterday it is giving voluntary buyouts to over 60,000 employees, or around a quarter of its workforce, as the tech giant tries to slash expenses while pouring money into artificial intelligence.
Staff on select teams in the U.S., Canada, India and Britain at vice president level and below will be eligible, while specific groups of staff, including some working on data centers, sales and marketing, are excluded, writes AFP.
“The Voluntary Exit Offer is a reflection of an important part of how we are evolving our approach to change: creating more flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter,” Amy Coleman, an executive vice president and chief people officer, said to staff in a memo.
It is the second voluntary buyout offer Microsoft has issued to employees this year.
The corporation is said to have offered early retirement to about seven percent of its US personnel in April.
CNBC says that 30 percent of eligible people selected the voluntary retirement plan.
According to regulatory filings, Microsoft has 223,000 employees globally as of June 30, down from 228,000 as of 2025.
Roughly 27 percent of Microsoft’s workers is eligible for the new buyout offer.
The corporation is scheduled to issue its quarterly earnings results later this week.
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