Microsoft Offers Buyouts to 60,000 Workers
Source reports published 26 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 27 Oct 2026, 3:39 am AEST
Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees globally, representing roughly one-quarter of its workforce. The company is implementing this strategy as it invests heavily in artificial intelligence and reduces operational costs.
What happened
- Microsoft announced a voluntary buyout program offering approximately 60,000 employees a chance to leave the company with support.
- The offer is available to eligible employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., with a requirement that they be at the vice president level or below.
- Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s chief people officer, stated that the offer provides eligible employees with a choice to transition now with support.
- Microsoft’s global workforce is 223,000.
- The company previously offered buyouts to 8,750 U.S. employees in May and cut 4,800 jobs in July.
- Microsoft is investing $175 billion in AI infrastructure by 2026.
- The buyouts are intended to reduce labor costs and adapt the workforce to changing needs.
Original reporting
- Guardian: Microsoft to reportedly offer buyouts to 60,000 employees in latest cuts
2026-10-26T00:00:00+00:00 - Sky News: Microsoft offers 'buyouts' to 60,000 staff including UK workers
2026-10-26T15:52:00+00:00 - CBS News: Microsoft offers buyouts to 60,000 workers as it pours money into AI
2026-10-26T17:39:00+00:00