Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees
Microsoft announced a voluntary exit programme on 26 October for about 60,000 employees, roughly 27% of its global workforce, and it also covers management levels. Data-centre workers are excluded; the company aims to restrain operating costs while spending heavily on AI.
Who is affected and how
- employee
- Eligible staff can weigh the package, but the figure of 60,000 is the number of people eligible, not planned layoffs.
- manager
- Because the scheme extends up to VP level, management positions may also open up, so teams should prepare for reorganisation.
- HR professional
- A voluntary exit programme is a model to follow as an alternative to layoffs, but the actual number of leavers is not yet known.
Sources
- Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 workers as AI reshapes workforce - Investing.cominvesting.com · Oct 26, 2026
- Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 workers as it pours money into AI - CBS Newscbsnews.com · Oct 26, 2026
- Microsoft offers buyouts to nearly 30% of workforce in ongoing AI shift | Fortunefortune.com · Oct 26, 2026
- Microsoft Offers Exit Packages To 60,000 Staff As Company Pours Money Into AIndtv.com · Oct 26, 2026
- 60,000 Microsoft Workers Offered Buyouts As AI Spending Boom Reshapes Workforce<!-- --> | ZeroHedgezerohedge.com · Oct 26, 2026
- Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 staff as AI costs mounthuman resources director · Oct 26, 2026
- Microsoft offers buyouts to nearly 30% of workforce in ongoing AI shiftfortune · Oct 26, 2026
- Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 staff as AI costs mount | Human Resources Directorhcamag.com · Oct 26, 2026
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