Microsoft has laid off 276 employees in addition to the 10,000 job cuts it announced earlier this year, according to a recent report. The layoffs primarily affect employees in customer service, support, and sales departments, and come just a week after the start of Microsoft’s 2024 fiscal year.
The tech giant filed a notice on Monday stating that it would be cutting 276 positions, with 66 of them being virtual employees based in Washington, the company’s home state. This move follows a small number of job eliminations that Microsoft made around the same time last year.
In a statement, a Microsoft spokesperson emphasized that the company regularly adjusts its organizational and workforce to effectively manage the company. They also mentioned that Microsoft remains committed to prioritizing strategic growth areas for the future and supporting customers and partners.
Following the announcement, several laid-off employees took to LinkedIn to share their experiences and express their gratitude for their time at Microsoft. Michelle Zapien, who was part of the digital cloud acquisition team, expressed shock at the layoff and is looking forward to contributing her skills to another company. Likewise, Tamika Caraballo, who worked as an enterprise solutions associate, shared her appreciation for her eight years at Microsoft and expressed excitement for what the future holds.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella attributed the January layoffs to over-hiring and macroeconomic conditions. Several other tech companies, including Amazon and Google, have also reduced their workforce due to the US economic recession and high inflation.
It is worth noting that according to Layoff.fyi, a layoffs tracker, 839 tech companies have let go of a total of 216,328 employees in 2023.
As Microsoft prepares to reveal its earnings for the 2023 fiscal year and fourth fiscal quarter later this month, the company continues to make workforce adjustments to ensure long-term growth and address the challenges posed by the current economic climate.
