# Microsoft offers to buy out a quarter of its workforce

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/microsoft-offers-to-buy-out-a-quarter-of-its-workforce/
- Published: 2026-10-26T22:36:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T23:39:07+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/10/microsoft-offers-voluntary-buyouts-to-60000-employees/
- Topics: Americas, Art, Asia, Culture, UK, World

## Key points

- Microsoft is offering buyouts to about 60,000 employees.
- Eligible staff are in four countries and at level 70 or below.
- The programme follows earlier workforce reductions this year.

## Summary

Microsoft is offering voluntary exit packages to about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its global workforce, in selected parts of the company. The programme gives eligible staff a chance to leave with a buyout as Microsoft manages costs while investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centres.

Employees in the US, Canada, India and the UK at internal level 70 or below may qualify, with offers due by email on Monday. This is Microsoft’s second voluntary workforce reduction this year: about 30 per cent of 8,750 US employees accepted an earlier retirement offer, while its Xbox division cut 3,200 jobs in July. The company says eligible groups were chosen according to business priorities, customer commitments and workforce needs.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.