Microsoft lays off 3,000, won't be done until June, 2010, says Ballmer

By Microsoft Subnet on Tue, 05/05/09 - 12:35pm.

Microsoft today commenced 3,000 layoffs, reports CNet but won't be done with the cutting of headcount until June, 2010, according to an e-mail attributed to CEO Steve Ballmer. We wonder if the e-mail includes a typo ... the layoff plan will drag on for more than a year -- and this is what the company defines as moving "quickly"?

Here is an excerpt of said e-mail, according to CNet and other blogs that say they have posted the e-mail in its entirety.

"Today's action includes positions in the United States and in a number of countries around the world. In the U.S., affected employees will be notified directly by their managers today. In other countries, local leadership teams will provide more specific information about the impact to their organizations.

"With this announcement, we are mostly but not all done with the planned 5,000 job eliminations by June 2010. We are moving quickly to reach this target in response to consistent feedback from our people and business groups that it's important to make decisions and reduce uncertainty for employees as quickly as possible, and so that organizations can concentrate their efforts and resources on strategic objectives. "

While the 3,000 employees let go include layoffs worldwide, Microsoft has previously said that U.S. jobs in the Puget Sound area near the company's headquarters in Washington will bear the brunt. Also note that during the company's meeting with analysts to report quarterly results last month, Microsoft executives indicated that they were planning on finding another $1 billion of expenses to cut in 2009.

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