Microsoft Offers Voluntary Departure with Compensation to 60,000 Employees

Microsoft has offered 60,000 of its employees in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and India the option to leave the company voluntarily in exchange for a compensation package. This offer does not apply to senior-level engineers or managers. Eligible employees must decide whether to leave or remain with the company by early December.

According to Business Insider, Microsoft aims to reduce its headcount through this initiative, thereby avoiding a new wave of involuntary layoffs. The company is seeking ways to cut costs as it invests heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

For context, as of June 2026, Microsoft had a workforce of 226,000 employees.