Microsoft Announces Third Major Round of Layoffs

Microsoft is set to lay off 305 employees in Redmond, Washington, with the cuts effective starting August 1, 2025, according to state filings. These layoffs follow a recent reduction of about 6,000 employees worldwide, representing nearly 3% of the company's workforce, and bring the total job cuts in Washington to nearly 2,300 in recent weeks. Microsoft stated the layoffs are part of ongoing organizational changes to improve efficiency and competitiveness but did not attribute the move directly to its artificial intelligence initiatives. This development marks at least the third major round of layoffs at Microsoft since early 2023. The layoffs reflect broader cost-cutting trends in the tech sector as companies streamline operations and shift focus toward AI-driven roles. Local support teams will assist affected employees during the transition.