The tech industry’s tough times show no signs of receding as Microsoft, earlier this year in January, announced the elimination of 10,000 jobs and initiated employee layoffs. Over the next few months, Microsoft asked its employees to leave the organization. Now, Microsoft has announced a smaller-scale round of job cuts. According to a report by GeekWire, Microsoft is cutting close to 275 jobs.
The layoffs primarily affect the US, with 276 employees being laid off in the Washington region. Microsoft confirmed the layoffs in a statement to GeekWire, stating, “We are making necessary and regular organizational and workforce adjustments to manage our business. We will continue prioritizing and investing in strategic growth areas for our future, in support of our customers and partners.” Notably, Microsoft had laid off a small number of employees around the same time last year.
In January, when Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, it accounted for about 5% of its total headcount. Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, stated in a blog post that despite job eliminations, the company was actively seeking to hire in key strategic areas. Nadella said, “While roles are being eliminated in some areas, it is important to note that we will continue to hire. We understand the challenges faced by those impacted, and our senior leadership team and I are committed to navigating this process thoughtfully and transparently.”
In the previous round of layoffs, several major companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, and Intel, also announced significant job cuts. Whether other companies will follow Microsoft’s lead this time remains to be seen. The tech industry is undergoing changes, and companies are grappling with these challenging times while striving for growth and adaptability.