Microsoft to cut 2.5% of its workforce in yet another round of layoffs
Microsoft announces a workforce reduction of under 2.5%, impacting sales, consulting, and the gaming division.
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The brief
Microsoft has confirmed plans for a new round of workforce reductions. The layoffs are expected to affect several internal sectors, specifically targeting sales, consulting, and the company's Xbox division.
Coverage from outlets including GSMArena, Quartz, TechRepublic, and The Verge highlights that these cuts represent the company's third major round of downsizing. Reports note that the reductions are occurring alongside increased corporate spending on artificial intelligence, with specific mentions of potential studio closures within the Xbox brand.
Updates are expected as the company begins the implementation phase. Coverage does not yet specify the exact number of employees affected or the final timeline for studio closures.
Synthesized by headlinez.news from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated just now.
Quick answers
How many employees will be laid off?
The workforce reduction is reported as being under 2.5% of the total staff.
Which departments are primarily affected?
The cuts are impacting the sales, consulting, and Xbox divisions.
Is this the first time Microsoft has laid off staff in 2026?
No, coverage indicates this is the third major round of layoffs for the company this year.
Coverage (7)
- Microsoft layoffs 2026: cuts hitting sales, consulting, and Xbox qz.com · 11h ago
- Microsoft to cut 2.5% of its workforce in yet another round of layoffs GSMArena.com · 11h ago
- Microsoft plans third major layoff round affecting thousands Yeni Safak English · 1d ago
- Microsoft Layoffs Could Hit Thousands as AI Spending Climbs TechRepublic · 1d ago
- Xbox layoffs, studio closures could start in days Mashable · 1d ago
- Xbox’s ‘reset’: all the news about Microsoft’s looming layoffs and studio closures The Verge · 1d ago
- Microsoft to cut under 2.5% of workforce in latest layoffs, Business Insider reports Yahoo Finance · 1d ago
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