Microsoft To Lay Off 5000 Employees

January 21, 2009 - 9:00pm

Citing the decline of the global economy as the main reason, Microsoft Confirmed that it will lay off 5000 employees over the next 18 months.

In spite of increased revenue, Microsoft's total profits for the fourth quarter of 2008 declined to $4.17 billion from $4.71 billion in the same period last year.

For the company's Entertainment and Devices Division, Xbox 360 and PC revenue increased, but it was offset by the decrease Zune music player revenue.

Microsoft says it shipped 6 million Xbox 360 consoles during the quarter, compared to 4.3 million in the previous year. In all, 8.3 million Xbox 360 consoles were shipped in the last six months of 2008, versus 6.1 million consoles in the year previous.

"In response to the realities of a deteriorating economy, we're taking important steps to realign Microsoft's business," CEO Steve Ballmer said in a company-wide memo.

The memo then explained that the reductions will be made "in the areas of R&D, marketing, sales, finance, [legal], HR, and IT over the next 18 months."

"The decision to eliminate jobs is a very difficult one," wrote Ballmer in his memo. "Our people are the foundation of everything we have achieved and we place the highest value on the commitment and hard work that you have dedicated to building this company."

"But we believe these job eliminations are crucial to our ability to adjust the company's cost structure so that we have the resources to drive future profitable growth," he concluded.

Comments

Microsoft To Lay Off 5000 Employees

funny money is what Obambi and his pals are printing out.As for Microsoft, who cares, so a bunch of millionaires are gonna be layed off. Perhaps if they stopped pampering their execs with millions and private jets, they'd have enough money to keep the poor slobs at the bottom that will be getting the axe.

Microsoft To Lay Off 5000 Employees

Why do these greedy f**ks always think it's necessary to get more money than the previous year? What? 4 billion isn't good enough? Give me a break you greedy f**ks.Lower damn prices and you'll make more. Also half the world is in a RECESSION, maybe that's why you're not making enough? What are you? stupid? f**king microsoft. I can't believe I use their OS.

Microsoft To Lay Off 5000 Employees

god screw all of you, you seriously dont knwo what youre talking about because you arent in their position. if you were youd do the same thing. yeah miscrosoft sucks, we all know it. they ARE greedy bastards, but give that this actually IS a recession, i am not blaming them for laying people off. theyre probably lying about sales of the xbox 360 aswell.

Microsoft To Lay Off 5000 Employees

What I was trying to say (before I freaked out from MG's picky post system) was that MS laid off 5,000, but ended up rehiring thousands back to study c l o u d c o m p u t i n g(cannot post without doing that). Supposedly it's something Google is trying to own M$ with in the future.

Microsoft To Lay Off 5000 Employees

lmfao@microc**ts. That fat bald douche must be celebrating because he can get his raise and make bonus for his f**king pie van empire! Seriously though it wont matter how much money and wealth people have when the ozone layer disintergrates. Im sure their f**king millions will save their sorry asses!

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