Microsoft Offers Voluntary Buyouts to About 60,000 Employees Across Four Countries

Microsoft announced a new voluntary employee exit programme on October 26 covering eligible teams in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and India. About 60,000 workers, roughly one-quarter of its reported global workforce, are eligible, according to reporting confirmed with the company.

The programme is voluntary and does not mean that 60,000 jobs have already been eliminated. Employees in participating organizations at Microsoft's internal level 70 and below can consider the offer, which includes financial assistance and career-planning resources. Participation varies by team, and eligible workers are being contacted directly.

Microsoft's chief people officer, Amy Coleman, said the programme is intended to give employees another way to leave with support while allowing business groups to adjust staffing to changing needs. The company did not publish a target number of acceptances.

The new arrangement follows an earlier voluntary retirement programme and job reductions during 2026. Unlike that earlier programme, the new offer is not limited by age or length of service, according to independent reporting. Employees have until early December to decide, and participating workers are expected to depart at the end of the year.

The announcement comes as Microsoft continues to invest heavily in data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, the company has not said that every employee departure will be directly attributable to AI investment, and any eventual headcount reduction will depend on the number who accept.

The company published its announcement on October 26. Its precise release minute was not established as falling in the preceding hour.