Microsoft to Lay Off Approximately 4,800 Employees Globally

San Francisco (ANTARA) - American technology giant Microsoft said on Monday (6/7) it will lay off approximately 4,800 employees worldwide, or about 2.1 per cent of its global workforce, as part of the company’s latest restructuring effort. Microsoft confirmed the layoffs in an internal message to employees, stating the move comes as the company adapts to rapid changes in the technology industry and seeks to streamline operations. The layoffs will primarily impact the commercial sales division and the Xbox gaming business, the company added. Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said in a message to employees that the company’s business is undergoing changes amid rapid technological advancements and customer demand, requiring the company to adapt. She stressed that the layoffs are not a direct result of the use of artificial intelligence replacing human workers. Microsoft stated it will provide severance packages, health benefits, and career transition assistance to affected employees. The company also noted that a voluntary retirement programme introduced earlier this year helped reduce the scale of the layoffs. The latest job cuts come as major technology companies continue to invest heavily in AI while seeking to control costs and improve efficiency. According to its annual report, Microsoft had approximately 228,000 full-time employees worldwide as of June 2025.