Rumour: Microsoft to cull 15,000 workers in January

by Stevie Smith - Jan 2 2009, 13:15

Regardless of being the world’s biggest software company, current online whispers are suggesting that even Microsoft Corporation is vulnerable to bouts of belt tightening across its international workforce as the dour economic climate grows progressively darker.

Microsoft rumoured to be shedding 15,000 staff in January. Image: Pot Noodle/Flickr.

While unconfirmed by Redmond-based Microsoft, and therefore still firmly in the realms of rumour, tech blog Fudzilla is claiming that speculation surrounding a rush of January 15 job cuts “is no longer rumor but a fact.”According to the blog, Microsoft is on the cusp of some major restructuring that will see it dropping a massive 15,000 employees in order to help cut costs and keep the software giant away from the snapping jaws of recession. With approximately 90,000 staff spread across the planet, a shock cull of 15,000 workers equates to a significant loss of 17 percent of Microsoft’s total workforce.Without noting from where it is receiving its information, Fudzilla says it believes Microsoft’s MSN service could well be in the firing line when it comes to suffering the majority of the onrushing layoffs. It also claims “somewhat larger” staff cuts are possible at Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).If there’s any credence to the quickly spreading story, then Microsoft is likely to begin swinging the unemployment scythe a week ahead of its Q2 fiscal report, which is scheduled to be held on January 22, 2009.The current layoff estimation of 17 percent is an increase on initial rumours that put the figure closer to 10 percent, which is around 9,000 employees.Microsoft Corp. has not yet released official comment regarding the potential staff loses.

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Rumour: Microsoft to cull 15,000 workers in January

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