Microsoft Offers Underperforming Employees a Choice: Severance or Training
Microsoft has offered employees with low performance ratings a choice: resign voluntarily with a severance of four months’ salary or undergo a training program with the risk of dismissal without compensation.
Microsoft has revised its approach to managing employees whose performance has been deemed unsatisfactory. Internally, these employees have been given a choice: either leave voluntarily with a severance package equal to four months of salary or enter a special performance improvement program.
The program is designed to give employees an opportunity to recover their professional standing. Those who choose the training path receive support from HR professionals and department managers, along with concrete recommendations for improving their skills and increasing productivity.
However, despite this opportunity, the company warns that if no improvement is observed within a set period, these employees will be dismissed without severance. As a result, continuing to work involves the risk of leaving without financial support in the future.
For those who choose to resign, Microsoft offers a simplified termination process under a “voluntary resignation” clause. This allows employees to maintain a positive employment record and access the severance package, including potential job placement support.
The initiative primarily targets departments where productivity has recently declined or where performance targets have not been met. The policy is already being implemented in some of the corporation’s major offices, including development and sales teams. Microsoft management emphasizes that the goal is not staff reduction but rather optimizing the internal culture of performance.
Amid increasing competition in the tech sector, the company aims to maintain a high level of professionalism and motivation across its workforce. Microsoft representatives stress that this is not a mass layoff but a shift in how employee performance is managed and expectations are clarified.
Human resources experts note that such initiatives help avoid open layoffs while maintaining overall team quality. They also provide motivation for struggling employees to address performance issues promptly.
Microsoft has previously taken steps to optimize workflows and team structures. With slowing growth across the tech industry, many companies are reevaluating their employee performance management strategies. Under the new policy, Microsoft underscores that it is ready to help but expects results.
The company’s leadership states that the new approach will be applied selectively and only after a thorough review of individual performance. Microsoft also emphasizes that all personnel decisions are made in compliance with labor laws and corporate ethical standards.
Thus, Microsoft’s new strategy aims to balance employee support with the need to maintain high performance standards. It remains to be seen how effective this approach will be and whether it will be adopted by other major companies in the industry.
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