As Microsoft pours money into AI, offers buyouts to 60,000 workers in its second program this year
A new exit option
Microsoft chief people officer Amy Coleman said the offer gives eligible employees considering a future beyond the company a supported way to make the transition. The program is available for a limited time and targets mid-level workers.
Microsoft said the buyout is intended to provide departing employees with financial padding and career-planning resources. The company also expects the departures to help reduce labor costs.
Some roles are excluded
Employees in certain business units cannot take part, Microsoft said. Bloomberg, citing a company spokesperson, reported that the exclusions include staff focused on data centers and employees in sales and marketing.
Earlier buyout offer
Microsoft reported 223,000 global employees at the end of June, compared with 228,000 at the end of 2025. Agence France-Presse reported that about 27% of the workforce is eligible for the new offer.
Key points
- Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees as it invests more in AI.
- The offer targets mid-level workers and is available for a limited time.
- Data center staff and some sales and marketing employees are excluded.
- Microsoft also planned buyouts for about 8,750 U.S. workers in May.