Microsoft is set to offer voluntary exit packages to around 60,000 employees across the United States, India, the United Kingdom, and Canada, according to reports. The program lets eligible workers leave the company with financial support and career-planning assistance as the tech giant adjusts its workforce amid growing investments in AI.
Microsoft announced the Voluntary Exit Offer on October 26. The program could cover roughly 27% of its global workforce of about 223,000 employees, although the company has not confirmed how many workers will accept the offer.
The program is open to eligible employees at level 70 and below in participating teams across the four countries. Unlike Microsoft's earlier voluntary retirement program, this offer does not require employees to meet specific age or service-length criteria.
However, not every employee or department is included. Participation depends on individual business units and their workforce requirements. Reports indicate that teams across AI experiences, Copilot, Windows and Devices, Xbox, finance and human resources are among those involved.
Microsoft Chief People Officer Amy Coleman said the initiative gives employees considering opportunities outside the company another option while helping business units respond to changing needs.
Eligible employees will receive details of their individual offers by email. The package includes financial support and career transition resources, with benefits structured around Microsoft's standard severance arrangements.
Employees will have a limited period to decide whether to accept the offer. According to reports, the decision window extends into the first week of December, with employees who accept expected to leave by the end of 2026. Microsoft has not disclosed the program's total cost or the number of employees it expects to leave.
The buyout offer comes as Microsoft invests heavily in AI infrastructure, including data centers and computing capacity needed to develop and run AI services. The company is also working to control costs while expanding products such as Copilot.
Microsoft has already reduced its workforce through layoffs this year. The new voluntary program offers another way to reshape staffing without requiring compulsory job cuts for every departure.
However, Microsoft has said the offer is not a replacement for layoffs. The company will continue to assess staffing needs based on business priorities and operational requirements.
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Microsoft's move reflects the pressure facing major technology companies as they balance workforce costs with large AI investments. While voluntary exits give employees more choice, the eventual impact will depend on how many workers accept the terms and which teams are affected.
The program's outcome could offer investors a clearer picture of how Microsoft plans to manage its workforce while continuing to fund its AI ambitions.