Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees — roughly one quarter of its workforce — as part of ongoing efforts to streamline operations. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman announced the program in a memo, stating it provides eligible employees with a supported transition option. The offer applies to select staff in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and India at level 70 and below, including vice president-level roles.
Microsoft says the package is comparable to standard severance, including base pay, stock options, healthcare, and career planning. This follows a previous early retirement program that saw 30% uptake. The company expects lower participation this time, noting the prior offer had more generous terms.
Eligibility was determined by organizational leaders, meaning sales, marketing, and some engineering teams are excluded. Microsoft emphasizes AI is not the driver, though it continues heavy investment in AI infrastructure. The company has reduced headcount for several years while scaling AI capabilities.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing