Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees before fiscal first-quarter earnings

Microsoft announced a voluntary buyout program for approximately 60,000 employees at levels 70 and below in the US, Canada, India, and the UK, just one day before the company reports fiscal first-quarter earnings. The eligible pool represents more than a quarter of Microsoft's 223,000 full-time staff as of June 30. The initiative covers teams in AI experiences, Copilot, Xbox, and Windows + Devices, while marketing, commercial business, and security teams are excluded. Employees have until early December to decide, with exits planned by year-end.