Kumar Bahukhandi
Microsoft’s voluntary exit offer and its investment in artificial intelligence. The image does not depict actual employees or an actual event. (Illustration: channel24india.com /AI-generated)
The offer covers about 27 per cent of the technology giant’s global workforce as the company continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence
Key Highlights
- Around 60,000 Microsoft employees are eligible for the voluntary buyout offer.
- The programme covers eligible staff in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
- Microsoft had approximately 223,000 full-time employees worldwide at the end of June.
- The company says it will continue to support employees in developing skills and finding opportunities within Microsoft.
Redmond, Washington: Microsoft has offered voluntary exit packages to approximately 60,000 employees across four countries, including India, as the technology giant continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), according to an Associated Press report.
The number of employees eligible for the offer represents about 27 per cent of Microsoft’s global workforce. The programme is available to eligible employees in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a blog post on Monday, October 26.
The offer is voluntary: the figure of 60,000 refers to employees eligible for the buyout, not the number who have accepted it or will leave the company.
Support for employees
Coleman said Microsoft would learn from the new voluntary exit offer while continuing to help employees focus on important work, build new skills and explore opportunities within the company where appropriate.
According to reports, the programme is intended to give eligible employees more flexibility as the company changes its approach to workforce planning. The offer includes financial and career-planning support for those who choose to leave.
Microsoft had approximately 223,000 full-time employees worldwide at the end of June. The Redmond-based company has been making substantial investments in AI, including products and infrastructure supporting its Copilot assistant.
Earlier workforce measures
The Associated Press reported that Microsoft had planned to offer buyouts to around 8,750 employees in the United States in May. In July, the company announced approximately 4,800 job cuts, including positions in its Xbox gaming business.
The latest offer gives eligible employees a choice about whether to leave. Microsoft has not said how many are expected to accept it.
