Microsoft’s latest Form 10K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that the number of product-related research and development roles at the company increased by over 12% to 81,000 positions as of June 30, up from 72,000 the year before. This growth in jobs within product R&D demonstrates Microsoft’s focus on developing and releasing new AI products and technologies throughout the company. The recent acquisition of Activision-Blizzard has also played a role in reshaping Microsoft’s global workforce.
However, the number of operations roles at Microsoft saw a decline of more than 3% to 86,000 positions as of June 30, down from 89,000 the previous year. This category of employment includes product support and consulting services, datacenter operations, and manufacturing and distribution. On the other hand, sales and marketing roles remained flat at 45,000 positions, while general and administrative positions experienced a slight increase to 16,000 from 15,000 a year earlier.
Overall, Microsoft’s global employment rose by 3% to 228,000 as of the end of its fiscal year on June 30, although still below its peak of over 230,000 employees in late 2022. Prior to this, Microsoft had announced layoffs of 10,000 people in early 2023. In an effort to maintain operating margins in the current economic environment, the company is working to control operating expenses, including employment-related costs, while also increasing capital spending on infrastructure to meet the anticipated demand for AI technology.
To recognize the hard work and dedication of its employees, Microsoft announced that it will provide them with a special one-time cash award of an additional 10% to 25% of the value of their annual bonuses for the recently completed fiscal year. This gesture demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to rewarding and acknowledging the contributions of its workforce. As the company continues to navigate changes in the global workforce and invest in new technologies, it remains focused on supporting its employees and driving innovation across the organization.
Overall, Microsoft’s employment landscape is evolving, with a significant increase in product R&D roles, a decrease in operations roles, and stability in sales and marketing positions. Despite fluctuations in employment numbers, Microsoft’s commitment to developing new technologies, such as AI, remains strong. By investing in its workforce and supporting employees through initiatives like special cash awards, Microsoft is positioning itself for continued growth and success in the ever-changing technology industry.
