Microsoft to lay off 6,000 employees in cost-cutting move
Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it will be reducing its workforce by 3% across the board. The layoffs are expected to impact all levels and geographies, with a focus on reducing management levels within the company. Notices were sent out to affected employees on Tuesday.
While the exact number of job cuts was not disclosed by Microsoft, it is estimated to affect around 6,000 workers, according to The Associated Press. Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood mentioned during an earnings call in April that the company was looking to streamline operations by reducing management layers. Microsoft’s headcount in March was slightly lower compared to the end of 2024, although it was still 2% higher than the previous year.
“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,” stated a Microsoft spokesperson. The company aims to enhance efficiency by minimizing redundancy through streamlining processes, procedures, and roles.
As of June 2024, Microsoft had a global workforce of 228,000 employees. The last significant reduction in workforce occurred in 2023 when 11,000 employees were laid off across various offices worldwide.
Despite the layoffs, Microsoft continues to report strong sales and profits. In its quarterly earnings report released last month, the company revealed a revenue of $70.1 billion for the quarter ending March 31, 2025, marking a 13% increase from the same period the previous year.
