Microsoft Offers Voluntary Exit Packages to Roughly Sixty Thousand Workers

Microsoft offered voluntary buyouts to roughly 60,000 employees across the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom on Monday as the technology giant attempts to control its head count.

The program applies to staff at internal level 70 and below in participating teams, mirroring standard severance packages based on seniority and location.

Eligible employees have until early December to decide whether to accept the terms and exit the company by the end of the year.

The move marks the latest effort by Microsoft to reshape its workforce and cut costs following massive expenditures on artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Chief People Officer Amy Coleman announced the plan in a memo sent to employees on Monday morning.

"The Voluntary Exit Offer reflects an important part of how we're evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter," said Amy Coleman, the chief people officer.

The buyout program excludes several business units, including sales organizations, marketing teams, commercial business groups and security divisions.

Participating groups include teams focused on Copilot, Windows and Devices, Xbox, finance and human resources.

Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced a retirement buyout program that was accepted by about one-third of roughly 8,700 eligible employees.

The company also carried out multiple rounds of involuntary layoffs over the past year, reducing staff by thousands of workers.

Business Insider and TechCrunch reported that the current buyout offer includes a minimum of 60 days of base pay and up to 39 weeks based on seniority.

The Times of India reported that the program carries no age or tenure restrictions and performance plays no part in qualification.

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach for every team or every employee," Coleman said.

Microsoft has not announced whether it plans to conduct further buyout programs if employee uptake falls below expectations.