New Delhi: Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to approximately 60,000 employees, representing around 27% of its global workforce, as the technology giant seeks to reduce costs while increasing investments in artificial intelligence (AI).
According to a company spokesperson, employees at the vice president level and below in select teams across the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom will be eligible for the offer. However, certain groups, including some employees working in data centres, sales and marketing, have been excluded from the programme.
Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, said in an internal memo that the voluntary exit offer was intended to provide employees with greater flexibility and more options to plan their next career move.
This marks the company’s second voluntary buyout initiative this year. In April, Microsoft reportedly offered around 7% of its US workforce the option of early retirement. Approximately 30% of eligible employees accepted that offer, according to CNBC.
Regulatory filings show that Microsoft had 223,000 employees globally at the end of June, compared with 228,000 at the end of 2025.
The latest initiative comes as the company continues to channel substantial resources into AI development and infrastructure. Microsoft is also expected to announce its quarterly earnings later this week, which could provide further insights into its financial performance and investment priorities.
