Recent job eliminations have been 'weighing heavily' on the CEO
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has addressed the widespread job cuts across the organisation in the past year, which have led to thousands of employees being let go.
The CEO said in a memo to employees that the recent job eliminations at Microsoft have been "weighing heavily" on him.
"These decisions are among the most difficult we have to make," Nadella said in the memo. "They affect people we've worked alongside, learned from, and shared countless moments with—our colleagues, teammates, and friends."
Microsoft has laid off 15,000 people so far this year through a series of job cuts. This includes the recent cut affecting 9,000 employees, reported earlier this month, and 6,000 in May.
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to those who have left," Nadella said in his memo. "Their contributions have shaped who we are as a company, helping build the foundation we stand on today. And for that, I am deeply grateful."
Uncertainty surrounding Microsoft
Microsoft has 228,000 employees worldwide as of June 2024, according to its website.
An updated figure after the job cuts has not been released, but Nadella told employees that the organisation's headcount is "relatively unchanged."
"This is the enigma of success in an industry that has no franchise value," he said.
"Progress isn't linear. It's dynamic, sometimes dissonant, and always demanding. But it's also a new opportunity for us to shape, lead through, and have greater impact than ever before."
Previous remarks from Microsoft said they laid off employees to put the company in the best position for "success in a dynamic marketplace."
Nadella acknowledged the uncertainty that surrounds the organisation, and pointed out that the company's success will be based on its people's ability to navigate the process of "unlearning" and "learning."
"But I have full confidence that we can, and we will once again find the resolve, courage, and clarity to deliver on our mission in this new paradigm," he said.
