Microsoft Launches Voluntary Retirement Program for 7% of Workforce
Microsoft Targets Trimming 7% Of Workforce Via First-Ever Voluntary Retirement Offer
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Microsoft is introducing its first large-scale voluntary retirement program, potentially affecting around 8,750 employees, or 7% of its U.S. workforce. The initiative aims to provide eligible employees with the option to retire on their own terms, alongside changes to the company's stock compensation model amidst ongoing cost-cutting measures in the tech industry.
- 01Microsoft's voluntary retirement program targets 7% of its U.S. workforce, approximately 8,750 employees.
- 02Eligibility requires a combined age and years of service of at least 70 for senior director-level and below employees.
- 03The program aims to offer employees a choice for retirement with company support.
- 04Microsoft is also revising its stock-based compensation model to decouple stock grants from cash bonuses.
- 05This move aligns with broader cost-cutting trends among major tech firms investing in artificial intelligence.
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Microsoft is implementing its first-ever large-scale voluntary retirement program, which could see about 8,750 employees—or 7% of its U.S. workforce—eligible to participate. The program is aimed at employees at the senior director level and below, who meet a combined age and service requirement of at least 70 years. Chief People Officer Amy Coleman communicated the initiative through an internal memo, expressing hope that it would allow eligible employees to retire on their own terms with generous support from the company. In addition to the retirement offers, Microsoft is revamping its stock-based compensation model, allowing for a shift in how employee rewards are structured. This decision comes as part of a broader trend among tech companies, including Meta Platforms and Oracle Corporation, to reduce workforce costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Microsoft has already undertaken multiple rounds of layoffs since early 2023 as it expands its global data center footprint.
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This program may provide a smoother transition for eligible employees considering retirement, potentially affecting their financial planning and future job opportunities.
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