Microsoft tells one in four employees they can leave: buyouts offered to 60,000, up to VP level

"Microsoft is offering buyouts for nearly a quarter of its workforce. The AI math doesn't math," Brad Groux (@BradGroux) wrote on X on Oct 26, drawing about 2,400 likes.

According to CNBC, Microsoft offered a voluntary exit to employees at level 70 or below in the US, Canada, India and the UK. About 60,000 people are eligible — roughly 27% of its 223,000 staff. April's retirement program stopped at senior director; this one reaches vice president. Employees decide in early December and leave on Dec 31.

Chief people officer Amy Coleman wrote in a memo that the offer creates "more ways for employees to shape their next chapter." Microsoft has said September-quarter capex would exceed $50 billion, and it laid off 4,800 people in July.

Accounts of the terms differ. A post claiming "39 weeks of salary, the next 2 stock vests and 6 months of COBRA" (@FloppyBenchAI) got 1,500 likes, but a reply said "many ppl i know were offered 8 weeks." Gergely Orosz (@GergelyOrosz) noted there is "still massive pull for FDE hiring" and AI infrastructure roles. Microsoft reports earnings on Oct 28.