Microsoft layoffs reportedly target sales, gaming roles

Microsoft is planning to cut thousands of roles as it attempts control costs, according to a report from Business Insider on Tuesday.

The cuts, which are expected to hit people in sales, consulting and gaming, will affect less than 2.5% of the company’s 220,000-person workforce, according to the report.

The cuts would add to a growing list of layoffs that have rippled through the Puget Sound area’s tech sector over the past year, as companies have looked to free up capital to invest toward AI infrastructure.

Microsoft laid off 15,000 people last year, hitting more than 3,100 employees locally. This round will be smaller than last year’s cuts, according to the report.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/06/30/microsoft-layoffs-ai-infrastructure.html