The layoffs continue at Microsoft. The wave of layoffs is in addition to the cuts announced by Microsoft in January 2023, resulting in 10,000 job cuts at the company. According to Geekwire, 276 people are affected in his home state of Washington. The affected employees were primarily part of customer service, support and sales. Out of 276 employees, 66 staff members actually worked. Several affected employees in the Washington division have also come on LinkedIn.
The report suggests that it is quite unusual for Microsoft (or any large tech company) to cut its workforce just a week after the start of the 2024 fiscal year. A spokesperson also told CNBC, “Organizational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and routine part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritize and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners.”
Meanwhile, former Microsoft employees are turning to LinkedIn to search for new jobs. Regina Chen, a former tech instructor, writes, “As many of you may have heard, Microsoft recently announced a round of layoffs affecting many employees. This can be frustrating for people with disabilities. But it also presents an opportunity for me to move forward and change. Change is an inevitable part of our professional lives.”
Another employee, former IT solutions leader Robbie B., said he was fired on the eve of his first anniversary at the company. She continues, “Special note to those affected today. Remember, this doesn’t define you. You are still amazing, still great at what you do, it’s just a matter of time.”
When Microsoft announced its massive job cuts in January, the company attributed it primarily to higher hiring and macroeconomic conditions. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also said in an email that the company was laying off thousands of employees as a result of “macroeconomic conditions and changing customer preferences”. “While we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key strategic areas,” the letter said.
After announcing the layoffs, Microsoft continued to cut jobs in its Xbox, HoloLens, LinkedIn and other divisions over the next few months. On the other hand, the software giant is investing heavily in the AI area, especially around Bing Chat.
Not only Microsoft, other big tech companies have also laid off thousands of employees this year. According to layoff tracker Layoff.fyi, 839 tech companies will lay off a total of 2,16,328 employees in 2023.