Microsoft announced Monday a new voluntary buyout program extending to approximately 60,000 eligible employees worldwide, offering financial assistance and career transition resources to those who choose to depart.
The initiative encompasses over one-quarter of Microsoft’s global workforce. The company reported approximately 223,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 30, 2026, in its latest annual filing. First reported by Business Insider, the voluntary exit program follows a separate voluntary retirement initiative introduced earlier this year.
Amy Coleman, Microsoft’s executive vice president and chief people officer, described the program in a memo on the official Microsoft blog as “an important part of how we’re evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter.”
The time-limited program is available to eligible employees at level 70 and below. Microsoft said affected staff would receive email notification regarding the specifics of their voluntary exit offer within hours of the announcement.
Microsoft’s voluntary buyout program applies to select business units. (Cesc Maymo / Getty Images)
Participation is limited to specific Microsoft organizations and includes eligible employees in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and India.
According to Microsoft, inclusion in the program depends on each business unit’s strategic priorities, customer commitments, and workforce requirements.
Coleman noted that the voluntary exit offer represents a new approach for Microsoft, adding that the company will evaluate its outcomes. “At the same time, we’ll keep helping people focus on the work that matters most, build new skills, and, where appropriate, find new opportunities across Microsoft,” she said.
Microsoft continues to make substantial investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. (Jason Redmond / AFP via Getty Images)
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach for every team or every employee,” Coleman said. “These steps address varying business needs while creating opportunities for our people to grow and contribute.”
“My promise is to continue providing clarity, listening and learning, and improving,” she added.
Earlier this year, Microsoft extended voluntary buyouts to roughly 7% of its U.S. workforce, or approximately 9,000 employees.
In July, the company also cut approximately 4,800 positions—about 2.1% of its global workforce—as part of an overhaul of its Xbox gaming division, which included divesting as many as five studios to improve returns.
Microsoft and other technology giants face heavy costs associated with building AI infrastructure, including data centers and specialized chips used to train models, prompting cost-reduction efforts across other operational areas.