Skip to content

Microsoft opens voluntary buyout offer to about 60,000 employees

Microsoft confirmed on 26 October 2026 that about 60,000 employees in selected teams in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and India are eligible for voluntary buyouts. That figure counts eligible staff, not departures already decided.

The program covers staff up to internal level 70, including some executives. It offers financial and career support, with employees given until the first week of December to decide, according to GeekWire's reporting with the company.

Microsoft has not given a numerical take-up forecast. Reuters places the plan within cost-control efforts during heavy AI investment. The announcement therefore establishes neither 60,000 job cuts nor that each departure represents AI replacing human work.

Sources 2