Microsoft's massive employee buyout spooked everyone. Here's what's really going on inside the company.
Source: Business Insider ·
Microsoft offered buyouts to 60,000 employees but expects few to leave. Insiders explain the strategy and why workers are worried.
From the source
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty ImagesMicrosoft offered a buyout to 60,000 employees this week.The offer spooked the tech industry and stoked chatter and concern inside the company.The key question: How many employees Microsoft is prepared to lose?Microsoft's huge employee buyout stunned the industry this week, raising urgent questions about why the software giant might want so many people to leave.Inside the company, concerned staff debated the meaning of the move. Why might Microsoft want to shed 60,000 workers? Will roles be replaced by AI? Are more layoffs ahead?Business Insider spent recent days speaking with Microsoft insiders to find out what's really happening. The people asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters.The main takeaway so far is that Microsoft seems to have unnecessarily spooked employees with the sheer size of its buyout offer, leaving leaders scrambling to calm the troops.Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood in an…