Microsoft to Deepen Seattle Area Labor Pool?
by John Paczkowski
Posted on January 15, 2009 at 5:22 AM PT
Come 22 Jan., 2009 Microsoft will be asked by the analysts what it is doing to contain costs. And I believe Microsoft will have an answer. I think this is one solution that you don’t want to be a part of.”
The rumor that Microsoft was set to lay off people on January 15th, 2009 is no longer a rumor but a fact. Staff at Microsoft have been informed that the company is readying major layoffs to its worldwide operations and it’s not a small cut, either. Currently Microsoft employs about 90,000 people across the world and from what we’re hearing, some 15,000 of those are expected to be giving marching orders come January 15th.”
Rumors of significant job cuts at Microsoft (MSFT) have been circulating for weeks, dismissed, often as not, as specious. How could the software giant retrench like this? The company’s never had major layoffs in its 34-year history.
Well, it’s looking more and more like it’s about to. People familiar with the company’s plans tell The Wall Street Journal that Microsoft is indeed considering job cuts. While unlikely to be as drastic as rumored, they could be announced as early as next week when the company is scheduled to deliver its fiscal second-quarter earnings.
If they happen at all. Large workforce reductions are not part of Microsoft’s culture, and the company is likely doing all it can to avoid them. Even those “people familiar with Microsoft’s plans” say it could choose alternative methods of cutting costs. We’ll know soon enough. “We’re finding our right balance,” CEO Steve Ballmer said last week. “When we find it, I’m sure we’ll communicate that publicly.”
