Overview
- Microsoft disclosed the Voluntary Exit Offer on Monday and told eligible staff they will receive individual terms by email and must decide by early December.
- About 60,000 workers at level 70 and below in the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom are eligible, with participation decided at the business‑unit level.
- Microsoft said the package matches its standard severance with pay tied to level and tenure, continued stock vesting, limited health coverage and career transition support for those who accept.
- The company declined to set a target for departures and said it expects only a fraction of eligible employees to take the offer, a softer approach than mandatory layoffs.
- The move follows a smaller voluntary retirement program in April and July’s layoffs and is intended to help fund heavy AI spending ahead of Microsoft’s upcoming quarterly earnings, which investors will watch for cost and capital‑spending signals.