Microsoft Offers Mass Buyouts For Roughly a Quarter of Its Workforce

An anonymous reader reports that Microsoft is offering buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees, which is roughly a quarter of its workforce. The tech giant aims to control its headcount without resorting to layoffs. Microsoft announced on Monday morning that eligible employees in the U.S., Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, who hold a vice president position or a lower level, would receive a voluntary exit offer.

This offer includes a standard severance package based on the employee's location. In a memo to employees, Microsoft's Chief People Officer, Amy Coleman, stated that this move builds upon the voluntary retirement program launched earlier this year. That program was available to more than 8,700 U.S.-based employees, with about one-third accepting the offer.

Since May 2025, Microsoft has been attempting to reduce its corporate workforce. Initially, the company conducted mass layoffs, which affected around 15,000 employees last year, including approximately 3,200 workers based in Washington. Layoffs have continued this year, although on a smaller scale, primarily in the company's gaming division.