Microsoft on Monday announced a voluntary separation programme covering approximately 60,000 eligible employees across India, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as the technology giant seeks to balance its growing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure with financial discipline.
The company is offering voluntary severance packages to employees at level 70 or below, giving eligible staff an opportunity to leave the organisation under a voluntary exit arrangement.
According to a CNBC report cited by Hindustan Times, nearly 60,000 employees qualify for the programme, representing approximately 27 per cent of Microsoft's global workforce of 223,000.
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The voluntary separation initiative applies to eligible employees in four countries, including India, where Microsoft has a significant presence.
The programme allows qualifying employees to consider leaving the company through a voluntary severance arrangement rather than through compulsory layoffs.
Microsoft has not disclosed how many employees are expected to accept the offer or provided a country-wise breakdown of eligible workers.
The figure of approximately 60,000 refers to employees eligible for the programme and does not represent confirmed job losses.
๐ ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ผ๐ณ๐ ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
In a memorandum to employees, Microsoft's Executive Vice-President and Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said the programme was part of the company's changing approach to workforce management.
Coleman said the initiative was intended to provide employees with greater flexibility and opportunities to determine their next career moves.
She also indicated that the new programme builds on lessons from Microsoft's earlier Voluntary Retirement Program introduced this year.
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The announcement comes as Microsoft continues expanding its artificial intelligence infrastructure while seeking to maintain financial discipline.
The company is attempting to balance the costs associated with AI infrastructure development with its broader workforce and operational requirements.
The voluntary buyout programme marks another step in Microsoft's efforts to provide employees with alternative exit options as it adjusts its workforce strategy.
The company has not announced a deadline for employees to accept the offer or disclosed the financial terms of the severance packages.