Microsoft has started the new financial year with a mass layoff, part of a company-wide “realignment” of business groups and roles.
The layoffs impacted “less than 1 per cent” of workers, which in a 180,000-strong workforce, still means the sackings are in the thousands.
“Today we had a small number of role eliminations,” Microsoft confirmed.
“Like all companies, we evaluate our business priorities on a regular basis, and make structural adjustments accordingly.
“We will continue to invest in our business and grow headcount overall in the year ahead.”
Microsoft denies the job cuts are due to the economic forecast, but the results of restructuring. The company plans to continue hiring for other roles.
The company revised its fourth quarter update in early June, citing “unfavorable foreign exchange rate movement.”
Microsoft expected to report revenue between US$51.94 billion to US$52.74 billion for the quarter, lowered from the previous forecast of US$52.4 billion to US$53.2 billion. It also trimmed its earnings guidance.