Thread regarding Microsoft Corp. layoffs

Translation if you qualify take it since they want to trim off the expensive labor cost and deploy elsewhere. Its a nice hint they want you gone one way or the other. Typically the severance plan gets less and less after each round

@38c Alright, then they just have a low IQ, which is measurable.

@33v nobody should be labeled a Fool.

You’d be a fool not to take it.

Fran did you create this thread? where are our babbies ?

@cr Historically, it has been if you are at least 55, and have at least 15 years of service, all of your RSU grants would continue to vest that you had received vesting from. i.e. any grant received at your last review would be lost. Regardless of how you left the company. Rule of 70 is, I believe, a misinterpretation.

49 here with 22 years. Not quite ready to retire, both financially and my willingness to work 3-5 more years. I hope you are correct that the package will be compelling, but I’m not really counting on it. Perhaps 1-2 weeks of pay for every year of service, some RSU vesting, and maybe this year’s bonus, plus some healthcare for 6-12 months? That would not be a whole lot better than the current severance plan, so not much of an incentive. Even UPS was offering $150,000 for its drivers to walk away, surely MSFT can do better?

But ultimately, I agree with your assessment about the hidden message and what comes next. Not only will you be on top of the list for the next RIF, but if you survive, expect much tighter performance management. Managers will no doubt be instructed to quickly manage out the folks in this particular demographic. You can easily go from “significant impact” to “ needs improvement” in one review cycle and out the door under far less favorable terms. Even if you survive all that, you can pretty much forget about promotions and good rewards if you are 45+. Things have changed very quickly and dramatically over past year or so.

Waiting to see what the offer looks like and then a difficult decision awaits.

I’m in a very similar spot. I’m 48 and in my 24th year, with 25 years coming up on July 9.

The difference for me is that I feel ready to move on. I’ve felt that way for the last couple of years and have been trying to figure out what the next chapter looks like. I started a side business as both a backup plan and a possible path forward, and through that process I realized I’m ready for something beyond tech.

My honest interpretation of the email was that they’re offering a respectful path for long-tenured employees to transition on good terms. And if someone chooses not to take it, there’s always the possibility that future changes could be less generous, whether that means tighter performance scrutiny, restructures, or eventually being managed out in a less favorable way. None of us knows that for certain, but it’s reasonable to recognize that these offers often come with an unspoken message to consider the timing carefully.

I also suspect the package may be meaningful enough that many people will have to think hard about it. In all honesty, I actually think the offer will stop you in your tracks. So compelling you’d almost be foolish not to take it. Companies usually know that major career decisions require real incentives, especially for people who have given many years of service and are NOT ready to retire.

Most importantly, try to look for the opportunity inside the uncertainty. Sometimes what first feels unsettling ends up becoming the push we needed. This could be the moment to pursue the business idea, career path, or lifestyle you’ve been putting off.

A chapter ending can also be a door opening.