Microsoft plans to cut some of its U.S. workforce through a voluntary buyout program, the first program of this type for the company, according to CNBC.
According to CNBC, the program will be open to U.S. employees at the senior director level and below whose age plus years of employment equals 70 or higher. The buyouts may cover up to 7 percent of the company’s U.S. workforce.
Microsoft employed approximately 125,000 people in the U.S. as of June 2025. If the program reaches maximum participation, up to 8,750 employees could be offered paid exits when it starts in May. Although this is lower than the roughly 15,000 layoffs announced in May and July 2025, it would still be a sizable workforce reduction, particularly if many eligible employees accept.
“Our hope is that this program gives those eligible the choice to take that next step on their own terms, with generous company support,” Microsoft’s executive vice president and chief people officer Amy Coleman said in a memo viewed by CNBC.
Microsoft’s 2025 layoffs mainly focused on simplifying management structures and restructuring its video game operations. These new buyouts, however, appear to reflect a different priority: significant investment in AI infrastructure. The company reported $37.5 billion in capital expenditures during the second quarter of 2026, much of it for data center construction. This suggests the move is less about AI replacing staff and more about funding the infrastructure required for Microsoft’s AI goals.
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