Software giant Microsoft is planning to lay off 10,000 workers, or less than 5 percent of the company's workforce, as the company looks to shift priorities amid economic uncertainty, The New York Times reported Jan. 18.
The layoffs will begin Jan. 18 and continue through March. Similar to other tech companies, Microsoft accelerated hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the Microsoft restructuring, Big Tech companies have laid off 19,150 workers in January, according to a report from Challenger, Gray and Christmas shared with Becker's.
The restructuring, including severance costs, will cost the company $1.2 billion, according to the report. The layoffs come as the company looks to focus on artificial intelligence.