Microsoft has launched a voluntary buyout program for up to 60,000 employees located in the US, UK, Canada, and India. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman stated that the initiative provides staff with financial support and career planning resources. The company aims to reduce its headcount through this program rather than conducting another round of layoffs.
Eligibility for the exit offers extends to teams including AI experiences, Copilot, CoreAI, Windows and Devices, Xbox, finance, and human resources. Certain departments, such as cloud and AI, MicrosoftAI, and corporate, external, and legal affairs, are participating on a partial basis. Marketing, commercial business, discovery and quantum, and security teams are excluded from the offer.
This program follows a previous layoff of 4,800 employees that primarily affected the Xbox and commercial sales divisions. Unlike a prior retirement program offered earlier this year to approximately 9,000 long-serving US employees, this new initiative targets a broader group. Reports indicate that further layoffs may still be planned for the Xbox division.
