Microsoft plans to lay off 5,000 workers


In a sign of more economic heartache, Microsoft stunned its investors on today, announcing the first broad layoffs in its history and offering a pessimistic forecast for the second half of its fiscal year.

Rather than issuing its second-quarter results in the customary fashion after the market closed, Microsoft rushed out the news this morning that it will lay off up to 5,000 of its 94,000 employees over the next 18 months, including 1,400 people today. The layoffs span across research, sales, finance and technology roles, the company said.

“We will continue to manage expenses and invest in long-term opportunities to deliver value to customers and shareholders, and we will emerge an even stronger industry leader than we are today,” said Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft’s chief executive.

Microsoft’s shares dropped $1.50, or 8 percent, to $17.88 in early trading.

(Via NYT)

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