Up to 1,500 Azure Roles Eliminated in Microsoft’s Latest Restructuring

What’s happening at Microsoft?

Microsoft is reportedly reducing the size of its Azure cloud and mixed reality units.

While the number of jobs affected on the mixed reality side remains unclear, Business Insider reports that as many as 1,500 Azure roles could be eliminated.

The reduction comes just months after the tech giant laid off approximately nine per cent of its gaming division.

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• Microsoft’s Xbox closing multiple studios, Canadians affected
• Indeed slashing 1,000 jobs to ‘simplify’ organization
• Phoenix Labs trims Canadian workforce during May restructuring

Impact on Canadian staff

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP is working to determine if Canadian employees are impacted by the latest round of job cuts at Microsoft.

According to LinkedIn, the company has more than 5,900 workers in the country.

Termination agreements for Microsoft Canada employees

In Canada, non-unionized employees at Microsoft are owed full severance pay when they lose their jobs due to downsizing, corporate restructuring, or the closure of the business.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

People working “on contract” or as a contractor may also be owed severance pay — given that many employees in Canada are often misclassified as independent contractors.

Severance can be as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on a number of factors.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains what rights employees have if they are being fired or let go on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Before accepting a severance offer, double-check the amount using our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their entitlements.

In addition to your salary, make sure to factor in any other elements of your compensation (i.e. bonuses, commission, etc.).

If your employer’s offer falls short of what our Severance Pay Calculator says you are owed, it’s very likely that you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Non-unionized employees in Canada have up to two years from the date of their dismissal to pursue proper severance pay.

LEARN MORE
• Severance for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance for tech sector staff
• Severance packages during mass layoffs

Major tech layoffs continue

Microsoft isn’t the only tech giant that has scaled back its staffing levels in 2024.

Other big names, including Google, Tesla, SAP, IBM, Netflix, Amazon, Intel, Lightspeed, Dell, Cisco, and Mozilla, have pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.

SEE ALSO
• Home Hardware slashes staff in response to economic ‘constraints’
• Whirlpool Layoffs: 1,000 positions axed amid slow home sales
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Talk to an employment lawyer

If you have been fired or let go for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have successfully represented tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals.

In addition to severance package negotiations, we can assist you on a broad range of employment matters, including:

If you are a non-unionized employee who needs help with a workplace issue, contact us or call 1-855-821-5900 to get the advice you need and the compensation you deserve.