Microsoft has strongly rejected widespread claims that it plans to eliminate as many as 22,000 jobs in January 2026, categorically dismissing the latest speculation regarding large-scale layoffs.
The rumours began circulating online, suggesting a significant workforce reduction affecting teams across gaming (Xbox), Azure cloud services, and global sales units, with estimates ranging from 5 % to 10 % of the company’s roughly 220,000 employees.
However, Microsoft’s Chief Communications Officer, Frank X. Shaw, took to social media to debunk these claims, stating that reports of such widespread job cuts are “100 percent made up / speculative / wrong.” He further engaged with commenters who echoed the layoff claims, making it clear that the company has no plans for any layoffs of this scale at this time.
While rumours about workforce reductions have triggered concern—especially since Microsoft carried out multiple layoffs in 2025, cutting more than 15,000 jobs worldwide—the company maintains that the latest layoff reports are unfounded.
Microsoft continues to focus on expanding its business priorities, particularly in artificial intelligence investments, and has not issued any formal announcement regarding new job cuts in January 2026.
