Microsoft Is Set to Cut Jobs as Big Tech Layoffs Surge Into the New Year In 2024, there were around 151,484 employees laid off from 542 tech companies.

By Erin Davis

The tech industry's layoff trend over the last few years may continue into 2025.

According to a new report by Business Insider, Microsoft will be cutting positions across the company "soon" and will focus on underperforming employees in various roles, including security.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that cuts were imminent but didn't provide details on how many employees would lose their jobs, or when.

Related: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Reportedly Calls 2 Different CEOs Every Day — and Has 2 Favorite Questions

"At Microsoft, we focus on high-performance talent," the spokesperson told Business Insider. "We are always working on helping people learn and grow. When people are not performing, we take the appropriate action."

The spokesperson also told the outlet that the company usually backfills cut positions.

In the summer of 2024, Microsoft had around 228,000 full-time employees.

Related: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Says the Company Needs a 'Culture Change' After Security Failures

The tech industry has been laying employees off in a big way since 2022.

In 2024, there were around 151,484 employees laid off from 542 tech companies, according to TechCrunch and layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks job layoffs.

Erin Davis

BIZ Experiences Staff

Trending News Writer

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Jobs AI Is Most Likely to Automate, According to a Microsoft Study

These careers are most likely to be affected by generative AI, based on data from 200,000 conversations with Microsoft's Copilot chatbot.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Thought Leaders

Want to Be a Trusted Thought Leader? Use this Psychology Bias to Your Advantage

The most influential thought leaders aren't just smart — they're memorable. Here's how to harness the psychology of perception to amplify the impact of your content.

Management

Annual Workforce Planning Is Broken. Here's the Smarter, Real-Time Alternative

By taking a continuous approach to workforce planning, companies can match their people with business goals and changing economic conditions.

Legal

Companies Often Choose Profits Over Consumer Safety — Here's What It Takes to Hold Them Accountable

Here's why the courtroom remains America's last line of defense for consumer safety.

Business News

Mars Says 94% of Its Products Sold in the U.S. are Now Made There, Too

The candy-maker has created 9,000 jobs over the last five years with its investments, according to a new report.