Microsoft is laying off about 6,000 employees, around 3% of its total workforce, as part of a global restructuring plan. The company announced the move on Tuesday, saying it wants to simplify its operations and reduce extra layers of management.
“We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC.
The layoffs affect employees across different departments and countries. In Washington state, where Microsoft’s main office is based, nearly 2,000 jobs are being cut.
This marks Microsoft’s biggest round of layoffs since 2023, when it cut 10,000 roles. Earlier this year, it also laid off some workers based on performance, but the company said the latest job losses have nothing to do with how employees were performing.
Microsoft announced the cuts even after reporting a strong $25.8 billion profit last quarter and giving a positive forecast for the months ahead.
Microsoft’s stock traded at $452.95 on Thursday—just below its all-time high of $467.56 reached last July.
