Microsoft proposes voluntary buyout packages to roughly 60,000 global staff members

Microsoft is offering voluntary redundancy packages to roughly 60,000 employees across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and India. The program covers about a quarter of the tech giant's global workforce. Eligible workers have until December to decide whether to participate, with Chief People Officer Amy Coleman describing the program as an opportunity for staff already considering outside career moves. [1][2]

Eligibility applies to personnel ranked at or below level 70 on Microsoft's internal experience scale, which spans from lower levels up through principal and partner tiers. The severance structure provides one week of pay per six months of tenure for those below level 65, and two weeks of pay per six months for employees rated 65 to 67. The package also incorporates extended stock vesting, outplacement assistance, and continued healthcare coverage, though some engineering, marketing, and sales divisions have reportedly opted out. [1][2]

The push marks Microsoft's second voluntary exit initiative of 2026, following an April buyout extended to 8,750 US staff and substantial gaming division cuts in July. It comes as the company balances heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure, including opening 31 data centers in a single quarter and deploying its custom Maia 300 chip. [1][2]