Microsoft wants to get rid of 30% of its workforce, more than 60,000 workers

Microsoft wants to get rid of a good part of its workforce. The company intends get rid of some 60,000 employees, almost 30% of its workforce, through a strategy of “voluntary layoffs.”

Those from Redmond, who have been in the midst of job destruction for some years now, have sent workers from different divisions (marketing, data centers, sales, etc.) a plan by which would voluntarily accept departures from the company and they would receive compensation similar to what they would have if they were fired.

The difference from a normal layoff is that the decision to leave the company is voluntary and has been offered to different groups of divisions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and India. However, these types of measures could be accompanied by forced dismissals later. Let’s not forget that the company itself announced a similar plan a few months ago, in April, and three months later it would lay off a good number of workers.

The 60,000 employees to whom Microsoft offers voluntary layoffs represent 27% of the workforce

Taking into account that the company currently has about 220,000 workers, offering voluntary layoffs to 60,000 represents 27% of its workforce.

This is the statement that the company has sent to affected workers through its personnel director, Amy Coleman:

Today we are introducing a new Voluntary Exit Offer (VEO) to eligible employees within participating organizations. This offer gives eligible employees considering a future outside the company a new option to make that transition now, with support. It also provides participating organizations with another way to adapt their workforce to changing needs.

The Voluntary Departure Offer reflects an important aspect of how we are evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more pathways for employees to shape their next stage. This builds on what we learned earlier this year through the Voluntary Retirement Program.

This offer will be available to eligible employees on participating teams in Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States at level 70 and above. This is a voluntary, limited-term program that offers those who qualify the opportunity to leave Microsoft with financial support and career planning resources. Some organizations offer the Voluntary Exit Offer and others do not, and participation varies depending on each business’s priorities, customer commitments and staffing needs. Additionally, eligible employees will receive an email with a link to the details of their Voluntary Departure Offer in the coming hours.

The Voluntary Departure Offer is new to us and we will learn from it. At the same time, we will continue to help people focus on the work that matters most, develop new skills, and, where it makes sense, find new opportunities across Microsoft. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for all teams or employees, and these are some of the ways we try to meet different business needs while continuing to create opportunities for our own people to grow and contribute.

My commitment is to continue providing clarity, listen, learn and continue improving. Thank you for everything you continue to do for our customers, for Microsoft, and for each other.