Escalation: Microsoft Offers Voluntary Buyouts to 8750 Employees

On April 23, 2026, Microsoft announced a voluntary buyout program aimed at approximately 8,750 employees, which constitutes 7% of its U.S. workforce.

This initiative marks the first time Microsoft has offered such a program to its employees, reflecting a significant shift in its employment strategy.

The company is also reportedly undergoing broader job cuts, with sources indicating a global reduction of 4,800 positions, including 1,600 in its Xbox division.

The buyout program comes amid ongoing restructuring efforts within Microsoft, which has faced challenges in various sectors, including gaming and cloud services.

While all sources agree on the number of employees targeted for the buyout, details about the specific terms of the program have not been disclosed.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources