Microsoft to lay off nearly 2,000 employees in Washington state
Microsoft announced thousands of layoffs Tuesday, many of which will affect employees in Washington state.
In a statement, a Microsoft spokesperson said the cuts are “necessary to best position the company for success in a dynamic marketplace."
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The company plans to lay off 1,985 workers in Washington, according to a state filing. This is part of a broader 6,000-person company wide layoff, first reported by GeekWire, which amounts to a 3% workforce reduction.
Microsoft has already been culling workers based on performance over the past year.
The company didn’t respond to questions about whether artificial intelligence played a role in the latest layoffs. But at an event last month, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said up to 30% of the company’s code is being written by AI.
Microsoft just reported a net income of more than $25 billion for the last quarter, beating Wall Street expectations.
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Monica Nickelsburg
Labor & Economy Reporter
Monica Nickelsburg covers labor, business, and the local economy. Her reporting focuses on how economic policies, the cost of living, technology, and the changing nature of work affect everyday people living in the Pacific Northwest.
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