Microsoft Buyout Offer for 60,000 Employees: What Is It? Will Indians Be Affected? Check Eligibility, Deadline and Exempted Departments

Microsoft Buyout Offer 2026: The tech giant has rolled out a direct offer. It is buying out its employees to leave their jobs. The curiosity raised is about what a buyout is and the number of employees to whom it has been offered. India, being a large part of Microsoft's employee community, is also included in the buyout.

So, Microsoft, in an early morning rollout on October 27, introduced a Voluntary Exit Offer (VEO) for approximately 60,000 employees, covering nearly 27% of its global workforce. This news was announced by Chief People Officer Amy Coleman on October 26, 2026.

Under the buyout offer, there are eligibility criteria. The affected people are from India, the US, the UK and Canada. A big number of Indian employees are also included, but the exact number of eligible workers remains undisclosed.

As we all know, many tech giants are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and cloud computing. Microsoft's buyout is a by-product of this investment. Microsoft has also reportedly invested a big chunk in AI amid recent trends.

Eligible employees can accept the offer by December 1, 2026, and leave by December 31. They would also receive financial support as they plan their next career move.

What Is A Buyout Offer?

To understand, let’s decode this in very simple words. A buyout is not a layoff, so we shall not confuse the two. Although both are related to leaving your job and moving out.

A buyout offer is a proper financial arrangement given by the employer to the employee. The company encourages the employee to resign and leave their job, by their own will and deal. Employees can accept the offer and take home the money offered with other benefits. This compensation is given so they can look for another opportunity without financial strain.

Companies usually do this while they are restructuring the firm and do not want to resort to layoffs unnecessarily.

• Purpose: It is often used during workforce restructuring to reduce costs without immediately resorting to forced layoffs.

Who Is Eligible For Microsoft's Buyout Offer?

Microsoft’s voluntary exit offer is not for everyone. It has eligibility criteria and is available to eligible employees at internal job level 70 and below. This offer spans employees from India, the US, the UK and Canada. Also, just meeting the criteria alone will not guarantee eligibility.

In India: Microsoft employs approximately 23,000 people. Although the company has not disclosed how many Indian employees qualify, it is just speculation based on media reports. Therefore, not everyone working at Microsoft will receive this exit opportunity, but a selected few will.

What Is The Exit Package And Deadline?

Will Indian Employees Be Affected?

Yes, according to all the reports and bloomberg, of course, Indian employees will be affected. Many tech giants have a major number of Indian employees, and they come under the criteria.

Indian employees are also included in Microsoft's global voluntary buyout programme announced on October 26, 2026.

This buyout offer covers eligible employees at internal job level 70 and below across selected departments. Eligible employees must accept the offer by December 1, with departures scheduled for December 31, 2026.

Which Departments Are Included and Exempted?