Microsoft laying off about 6,000 people, or 3% of its workforce

Microsoft has announced plans to lay off approximately 6,000 employees, representing about 3% of its global workforce. The tech giant's decision comes amid a broader industry trend of companies reassessing their workforce needs in response to changing economic conditions. This move highlights Microsoft's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and realign resources to focus on key growth areas. Specifically, the layoffs will significantly impact Microsoft's Redmond headquarters in Washington state, where 1,985 positions are set to be cut. Of these, 1,510 jobs are based in office roles, indicating a strategic shift in how the company manages its operational and administrative functions. This reduction is part of a larger initiative to adapt to the evolving digital landscape and invest in areas poised for future growth, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. While these layoffs present challenges for the affected employees, Microsoft is committed to providing support during this transition. This includes offering severance packages, career counseling, and job placement services to help ease the impact. As the company navigates these changes, it remains focused on innovation and maintaining its competitive edge in the technology sector.

— Authored by Next24 Live