Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 employees across multiple countries

Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to up to 60,000 employees in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and India, according to The Verge and TechCrunch.

The company’s chief people officer, Amy Coleman, communicated that the buyouts provide employees with financial support and career planning resources to leave the company voluntarily.

Employees eligible for the buyouts include those at the vice president level and below in various teams such as AI experiences, Copilot, CoreAI, Windows + Devices, Xbox, finance, and human resources, while some teams like marketing, commercial business, and security are excluded.

This move follows earlier layoffs of 4,800 employees, mainly affecting Xbox and commercial sales teams, and represents Microsoft’s effort to reduce costs and reshape its workforce for the AI era without further involuntary layoffs.

The buyout terms are similar to Microsoft’s standard severance, and the company views this voluntary exit offer as a new approach to managing workforce changes with flexibility for employees.

Eligible employees are receiving details about the offer via email, and Microsoft plans to continue supporting employees through skill development and internal opportunities.