Microsoft has approximately 223,000 employees worldwide, meaning the 60,000 workers eligible for the offer account for nearly 25% of its total workforce. However, the offer does not mean that all 60,000 employees will lose their jobs. Instead, eligible employees can decide whether to accept the voluntary exit option.
Microsoft's approach stands apart from the workforce reductions carried out by companies such as Oracle and Amazon. In recent days, several technology companies have been investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and restructuring their business operations, with some directly eliminating jobs. Microsoft's offer provides an alternative for employees who want to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, with the company offering financial assistance and career support to those who choose to leave.
Microsoft has currently made 60,000 employees eligible for the Voluntary Exit Offer. How many employees will accept the offer and how many will decide to remain with the company will become clear in the coming days.
Microsoft's list of eligible employees includes both junior and senior staff members. The offer is available to employees at Level 70 and below, including workers in India, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Some senior employees may also be covered under the eligibility criteria.
Amazon and Oracle Opted for Direct Layoffs
Unlike Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle have directly eliminated jobs. When Oracle laid off employees, it reportedly informed them through emails sent early in the morning, notifying them that their employment had ended. The affected workforce included employees in India as well as other parts of the world.
Oracle has carried out two major rounds of layoffs this year, removing a total of 21,000 employees from their jobs. The cuts have affected workers across the company's global operations, including India.
More Than 135,000 Employees Affected by Layoffs in 2026
The technology sector has continued to witness substantial job losses in 2026. More than 135,000 employees have faced layoffs during the year, with artificial intelligence also contributing to job losses in the industry.
Layoffs.fyi, a layoff-tracking website, shared the figures. According to the portal, Amazon has recently laid off approximately 1,000 employees.
As technology companies continue investing in AI and changing their business structures, Microsoft's Voluntary Exit Offer presents a different option for eligible employees. Rather than automatically terminating the employment of everyone covered by the programme, the company has offered them the choice to leave with financial and career support. The eventual number of employees who accept the offer will determine its impact on Microsoft's workforce.
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