Microsoft has announced another round of layoffs, affecting various teams and locations across the company. The layoffs have primarily impacted product and program management functions, but the exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the layoffs, stating that organizational and workforce adjustments are a normal part of managing the business.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing investments in strategic growth areas. These layoffs come as Microsoft concluded its fiscal year on 30th June, amid ongoing restructuring efforts.
Similar layoffs occurred in 2023. This latest round follows earlier cuts in 2024, including nearly 2,000 jobs in the gaming division at the beginning of the year and around 1,000 positions last month, affecting roles within the Azure cloud unit and the HoloLens mixed-reality team.
In response to recent cyberattacks, the company announced a major overhaul of its security processes, declaring security as its top priority. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized this shift in a memo to over 200,000 employees, urging a collective effort to fortify the company’s defenses.
The initiative, called the Secure Future Initiative (SFI), aims to embed security into every aspect of Microsoft’s operations, based on three core principles: Secure by Design, Secure by Default, and Secure Operations. Over the past 18 months, Microsoft has laid off thousands of employees, reflecting a broader trend in the tech industry. According to layoffs.fyi, nearly 100,000 tech employees have been laid off so far this year, with about 260,000 layoffs in 2023.
