Microsoft to Lay Off 6,000 Workers as Part of Restructuring

Microsoft has announced it will lay off 6,000 employees, which is about 3% of its global workforce, according to The Guardian. The company, which employed 228,000 full-time workers as of June 2024, did not say exactly which jobs would be affected.

The layoffs will impact workers at all levels and in different locations, with a focus on reducing the number of managers. Affected employees were notified on Tuesday.

In a statement, Microsoft said the cuts are part of a larger plan to reorganize the company and improve its position in a changing market.

“We continue to make changes that will help us succeed in a dynamic marketplace,” Microsoft said.

This follows a smaller round of layoffs earlier this year, but the 6,000 job losses are the largest since Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, or about 5% of its workforce, in early 2023.

Despite the job cuts, Microsoft is still financially strong, reporting good sales and profits in its most recent quarter. CFO Amy Hood said in April that the company is focused on building high-performing teams and reducing management layers to improve flexibility.

Hood also mentioned that by March 2025, Microsoft’s workforce had grown by 2% compared to the previous year, though it was a bit lower than at the end of 2024.

These layoffs are happening as Microsoft adjusts to changes in the tech industry while also taking advantage of the growing demand for artificial intelligence. The company’s strong financial results have helped it face challenges in the broader tech industry.