Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees, roughly a quarter of its global workforce, including staff in the United Kingdom.
Microsoft announced the programme on Monday. It is called the Voluntary Exit Offer, or VEO, and employees choose whether to take it.
Microsoft's annual filing shows 223,000 full-time employees globally as of 30 June 2026.
The scheme is the second voluntary offer the company has made to staff this year. It comes as Microsoft forecasts $175 billion in capital expenditure for the 2026 calendar year and prepares to report earnings this week.
Who can take the offer
Eligibility depends on country, seniority and team. Microsoft set out the first two in a company statement.
This offer will be available to eligible employees in participating teams in Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States at level 70 and below,
In plain terms, "participating teams" means that only some parts of the company have joined the scheme. "Level 70 and below" sets a ceiling on seniority. Reports do not say what level 70 represents.
Microsoft has named some of the teams that are in and some that are out.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Countries | Canada, India, the United Kingdom, the United States |
| Level | 70 and below |
| Teams named as eligible | AI experiences, Copilot, finance, human resources, Xbox, Windows + Devices |
| Teams excluded | Marketing, commercial business, security |
Eligible employees are expected to receive details of the programme shortly.
What Microsoft says the offer is for
The Voluntary Exit Offer reflects an important part of how we’re evolving our approach to change: creating greater flexibility and, where possible, more ways for employees to shape their next chapter,
Coleman also said the offer was a choice for staff and a tool for managers. "This offer gives eligible employees who may be considering a future outside the company a new choice to make that transition now with support. It also gives participating organizations another way to adapt their workforce to changing needs."
Microsoft said the new programme draws on what it learned from the earlier voluntary retirement scheme.
How this differs from earlier moves
The new offer is far larger and reaches beyond the United States. Microsoft's voluntary buyouts in April went to about 9,000 employees, which was about 7% of its US workforce.
In July, Microsoft announced it would cut 4,800 jobs, about 2.1% of its global workforce. The plan also included an overhaul of the Xbox gaming business and the sale of up to five studios.
That was a decision by the company to remove jobs. The new offer is different because each eligible employee decides whether to leave. One report puts the July job cuts at nearly 5,000.
- AprilFirst voluntary offer
Buyouts offered to US staff.
- JulyJob cuts announced
Xbox business overhauled.
- MondayVoluntary Exit Offer announced
Staff in four countries are eligible.
- WednesdayEarnings due
First-quarter results after markets close.
The spending behind the offer
Overall spending reached $41 billion from April through June, Microsoft said in July, and the company expected it to climb to $50 billion from July through September.
Chief financial officer Amy Hood said about two-thirds of the company's spending goes to "short-lived assets," specifically chips. She cited customer demand for "both AI and non-AI infrastructure."
Microsoft shares were up about 1% on Monday, reports said, after a rise of about 10% this year.
Where reports differ and what is unknown
The sources disagree on some details. One report describes eligible staff as those at vice president level and below, while others say level 70 and below. One lists some data centres, sales and marketing as excluded teams, while others name marketing, commercial business and security.
What we know
- The offer is voluntary and time-limited.
- It covers participating teams in four countries.
- It is Microsoft's second voluntary offer this year.
Still unclear
- How many employees will accept the offer.
- The size of the financial package for departing staff.
- The total cost or savings Microsoft expects.
- Whether the offer will extend beyond the named countries or teams.
Microsoft is due to report first-quarter earnings after markets close on Wednesday.
