Additional Coverage:
- Microsoft’s performance-based job cuts have started, according to termination letters sent to staff (newsbreak.com)
Local Microsoft employees are facing performance-based job cuts. Termination letters reveal that affected employees are losing their jobs and benefits immediately, with some reportedly not receiving severance pay.
The termination letters state that job performance did not meet minimum standards. Employees are instructed to cease all work and return company property. Access to company systems is revoked immediately.
While the letters don’t explicitly mention severance, they confirm the immediate end of healthcare benefits. They also warn that past performance and termination will be considered for future Microsoft applications.
This comes after reports of Microsoft taking a stricter stance on performance management, with evaluations occurring across various levels. A company spokesperson previously acknowledged the cuts, stating that performance-based departures are often followed by backfilling roles. Therefore, the overall headcount might not significantly change.
Microsoft maintains its focus is on “high performance talent” and that appropriate action is taken when performance isn’t met. Earlier this month, the company also initiated job cuts in several departments, including security, sales, and gaming. A spokesperson stated those cuts were unrelated to the performance-based dismissals.