Microsoft CFO says only a small fraction of employees likely to take new voluntary exit offer
Microsoft expects fewer than 3,000 workers to accept a voluntary exit buyout announced this week, citing strong growth opportunities as the reason for low uptake.
Microsoft announced a voluntary exit buyout covering roughly a quarter of its workforce, but the company anticipates that fewer than 3,000 employees will accept the offer. The estimate was confirmed by Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood in an internal memo, where she said the company expects "very few people to select this offer because of the growth opportunities here at Microsoft."
Hood added that the buyout is intended to give staff agency to leave on their own terms and that Microsoft will continue to provide training and career-advancement options for those who stay. The memo was part of the quarterly earnings communication that highlighted a 19% revenue increase and a shift in reporting structure to two segments: Agents and Infra, and Devices and Consumer.
The current offer follows a previous retirement buyout earlier in the year, which saw about one-third of eligible employees participate and helped reduce the need for later layoffs. By contrast, the company says the present program is seeing significantly less interest.