BUSINESS

MICROSOFT LAY OFF 6,000 WORKERS.
Microsoft plans to cut 6,000 jobs, representing nearly 3% of its global workforce, according to The Guardian.
While the tech giant, which had 228,000 full-time employees as of June 2024, did not specify which roles would be impacted, the layoffs are expected to span multiple levels and locations, with a particular focus on trimming management roles. Affected staff received notification on Tuesday.
In a statement, Microsoft said the job cuts are part of a wider organisational overhaul.
“We continue to implement organisational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,” the company said.
This development follows a smaller wave of performance-based layoffs earlier in the year. However, the current cut of 6,000 jobs marks the company’s most significant reduction since early 2023, when Microsoft let go of 10,000 employees—roughly 5% of its workforce.
Despite the layoffs, Microsoft continues to demonstrate strong financial performance, with solid sales and profits reported in its latest quarterly results.
The company’s chief financial officer, Amy Hood, noted during an April earnings call, “We are focused on building high-performing teams and increasing our agility by reducing layers with fewer managers.”
Hood also noted that as of March 2025, Microsoft’s workforce was 2% larger than the same period the previous year, though slightly below its headcount at the end of 2024.
The layoffs reflect Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving tech landscape, even as it benefits from surging demand for artificial intelligence.
Despite broader challenges in the tech industry, the company’s recent strong financial results have offered some reassurance.
"This represents a significant development in our ongoing coverage of current events."— Editorial Board