Microsoft Just Laid Off 10,000 Staff
The writing was already on the wall, but now, it's been confirmed that gaming giant Microsoft has just laid off around 10,000 members of staff.
Reports circulated on January 17 that there would be a mass layoff, and like clockwork, the next day has seen Microsoft make the devastating cull.
Why Is There A Mass Layoff At Microsoft?
A message from CEO Satya Nadella has been shared with Microsoft staff, citing a "difficult but necessary" decision. 10,000 jobs will be lost - which is around 5% of the workforce.
Nadella says the hopes are that "Microsoft will emerge from this stronger and more competitive." There's no news on which departments will be affected, however, there's a shift in focus to "key strategic areas," with recruitment still ongoing.
The release continued, "These decisions are difficult, but necessary. They are especially difficult because they impact people and people's lives – our colleagues and friends."
When Will The Microsoft Layoff Take Place?
Wasting no time, the layoffs will occur before the end of the 2023 financial year's Q3 - meaning they could happen between now and March.
Nadella promises to treat those affected with "dignity and respect," while saying that the start of 2023 is "showtime" for Microsoft. There's a big year ahead in terms of gaming, with juggernauts like Starfield hopefully securing this branch's future.
"As a company, our success must be aligned to the world's success," says Nadella. "That means every one of us and every team across the company must raise the bar and perform better than the competition to deliver meaningful innovation that customers, communities, and countries can truly benefit from.
"If we deliver on this, we will emerge stronger and thrive long into the future; it's as simple as that." It comes at a time Microsoft is trying to pull through the record-breaking Activision Blizzard deal.
Nadella concludes by thanking all employees for "the focus, dedication, and resilience you demonstrate for Microsoft and our customers and partners each day." There's a tragic sense of irony that this announcement comes exactly a year after Microsoft announced its hopes to acquire Activision Blizzard.
