Microsoft layoffs news 2023 tech firm announces new round of layoffs from customer service sales and support teams

Microsoft announced another round of layoffs on Tuesday (July 11) six months after firing 10,000 global employees in January this year. According to GeekWire, a total of 276 people in Microsoft's home state of Washington are impacted. Most of these employees were from the customer service, support, and sales teams.

"Of the 276 employees, 66 staff members worked virtually. Many affected employees from the Washington division have also taken to LinkedIn," GeekWire reported.

Earlier in January 2023, Microsoft laid off around 5 per cent of its global employees. In a blog post, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, had said that while the company was eliminating jobs, it was also looking to hire. "It’s important to note that while we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key strategic areas. We know this is a challenging time for each person impacted. The senior leadership team and I are committed that as we go through this process, we will do so in the most thoughtful and transparent way possible," Nadella had said.

A Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC, "Organisational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritise and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners."

For several months after the layoff announcement, Microsoft proceeded to eliminate positions across all of its businesses, including Xbox, HoloLens, LinkedIn, and others. On the other hand, the software behemoth is making significant investments in the AI sector, particularly in Bing Chat.

Former Microsoft employees are currently using LinkedIn to search for new positions. Regina Chen, a former technical trainer, writes, "As many of you may have heard, Microsoft recently announced a round of layoffs affecting a number of employees. While this news can be disheartening for those directly impacted, it also presents an opportunity for my growth and transformation. Change is an inevitable part of our professional lives."