Microsoft Lays Off 9,000 Employees Worldwide

 Microsoft is reportedly going to implement the latest mass layoff policy. Reportedly, there are 9,000 employees or 4% of its global workforce affected by the action.

Sources quoted by CNBC International explained that the layoffs will occur across a number of teams, geographies and experience levels.

The announcement was made on the second day of fiscal 2026. Usually, reorganizations are announced in the new fiscal year.

"We are implementing the organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic market," explained a Microsoft spokesperson, quoted by CNBC International, Thursday (3/7/2025).

Over the past few years, Microsoft has indeed cut thousands of its employees. For example, in January, less than 1% of employees were laid off.

Layoffs were also carried out in May, amounting to more than 6,000 people and around 300 employees in June.

In 2023, Microsoft also laid off 10 thousand employees. The largest layoffs occurred at the company in 2014, when 18 thousand workers lost their jobs after Microsoft acquired Nokia's device and services business.

CNBC International, citing a source, said that Microsoft is trying to reduce the number of layers of managers between individual contributors and top executives. This was also done during the round of layoffs that occurred last May.

In a memo to employees, Microsoft gaming CEO Phil Spencer explained that layoffs in several areas were carried out in order to make the Gaming position even more successful. Not only that, the company will also remove layers of management.

"To position Gaming for lasting success and focus on strategic growth, we will end or reduce work in certain areas of the business and follow Microsoft's lead in removing layers of management to increase agility and effectiveness," he explained.