Microsoft Cuts Another 800 Workers From Staff
Microsoft has announced that the company will layoff 800 employees, completing its plans to reduce staff by roughly 5,000.
Earlier today, TechFlash cited unofficial but reliable sources who claimed that the Redmond-based company would announce additional job cuts this week, with affected employees receiving word today. Word on the street was Microsoft would cut just under 1,000 and sure enough, Microsoft this afternoon confirmed reports, detailing that it would layoff 800 people.
“Earlier this year, we announced that in order to reduce costs, increase efficiency and prioritize our focus areas, we would eliminate approximately 5,000 positions by June 2010. Today, we are eliminating around 800 positions spread across multiple businesses and locations and have completed our reduction plan sooner than we had anticipated 11 months ago. At the same time, we continue to hire in priority areas, but also understand that continuing to manage our businesses closely, as we always do, can mean additional headcount adjustments.”
TechFlash's source said that some portion of the new cuts would serve as the final phase of the company's original plan to cut up to 5,000, a fact that was confirmed by Microsoft this afternoon. However, the tipster went on to say that the new layoffs were also expected to take the company beyond the original plan and Microsoft seems to have left things fairly open ended with it's promise to continue to manage its businesses closely.
Read more here.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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megamanx00 Considering that Microsoft just recently trimmed it's less used offerings (Enactra Encyclopedia anyone) it makes sense. Of course some of those coders may just transfer to somewhere else in MS, but the marketing people that got let go because their product failed may be SOL.Reply -
tester24 Microsoft: "Those of you who have iPhones or anything Apple related we no longer require your services, have a great day".Reply -
jerther Hahaha, love that pic of Ballmer. He looks like Gargamel :PReply
The news along with that pic reminds me of a clown that dies... -
extremepcs "At the same time, we continue to hire in priority areas"Reply
Like tech support call centers in India? I'm sure they are making use of each and every H1B visa available too, to fill the gap left by the layoffs. -
cookoy As if their bottom line is in the red. Can't they retrain these people to fill those positions left open by those who voluntarily retire or leave the company?Reply
Or maybe these are really excess baggage with no real contribution to the company. The clown knows best. -
jellico cookoyAs if their bottom line is in the red. Can't they retrain these people to fill those positions left open by those who voluntarily retire or leave the company?Or maybe these are really excess baggage with no real contribution to the company. The clown knows best.This is a common sentiment when it comes to companies laying people off. It implies an obligation by the company to take care of their employees. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Companies are in business to make money, first and foremost. They aren't there to provide a paycheck, and benefits, and PTO. Employees have a job and are paid because their services will help the company make money or cut costs. When that service is no longer required, why should the company be obligated to keep paying? If you cancel your cable subscription or phone service or whatever else, do you feel compelled to keep paying them?Reply