Microsoft offers buyouts to about 60,000 staff
Microsoft has offered voluntary exit packages to roughly 60,000 employees, about 27% of its workforce of 223,000, in the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. Eligible staff are at level 70 or below, or vice president and below, according to the company. Employees must accept by the first week of December, with departures on 31 Dec. The offer follows an April early retirement scheme that about 30% of those eligible accepted, and a July cut of 4,800 jobs. Microsoft is spending heavily on AI data centers while reducing headcount to trim costs. Shares rose about 1% on Monday, 26 Oct.
Key facts
- In the U.S., the buyout includes at least eight weeks' pay, continued stock vesting, health care and career services.
- Eligible employees receive an email with a link to their offers, per Euronews.
- Buyout terms are similar to Microsoft's standard severance package, according to TechCrunch.
- Capital expenditures for the September quarter are expected to exceed $50 billion.
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Why it matters
Microsoft is reducing headcount while its AI infrastructure spending rises, a shift that could affect staffing across its global operations.
What changed
First published from NRK, TechCrunch, The Verge, SVT Nyheter and CNA