Up to 60,000 Microsoft employees, including those working in the Xbox division, have been given the option to voluntarily leave the company

Microsoft has introduced a time-limited initiative offering employees the option to voluntarily leave the company. In a memo shared by Amy Coleman, EVP Chief People Officer, the Voluntary Exit Offer (VEO) is now available to eligible employees within certain teams in the US, UK, Canada, and India who are at level 70 or lower.

According to The Verge, as many as 60,000 employees might qualify. It’s reported by sources familiar with the program that this includes staff from teams such as AI experiences, Copilot, CoreAI, Windows + Devices, Xbox, finance, and human resources. The cloud + AI and MicrosoftAI divisions, along with corporate, external, and legal affairs teams, are participating to a lesser extent.

In her memo, Coleman remarked on the novelty of the Voluntary Exit Offer, expressing hope to gain insights from the experience. She emphasized that the initiative aims to enable employees to concentrate on significant tasks, develop new skills, and potentially explore new roles within Microsoft. The company is striving to address the varied needs of its teams while fostering growth and opportunities for its workforce.

Coleman further stated that the Voluntary Exit Offer is part of Microsoft’s strategy to enhance adaptability and provide employees with more opportunities to influence their career paths. This approach builds on insights gained from a previous Voluntary Retirement Program earlier in the year, which was offered to around 9000 US employees who met specific age and service criteria.

This offer comes in the wake of workforce reductions that took place in July and September, primarily impacting Xbox and commercial sales, with more job cuts rumored to be on the horizon.