A former Microsoft employee has shared frustrations on Reddit, claiming the tech giant is quietly filtering out laid-off workers from rehire opportunities despite assurances to the contrary.
The user, who said they were let go four months ago, described themselves as a “strong top performer” before being unexpectedly called into a meeting and terminated. “I was told there is no cool off period to be rehired, but clearly all my applications to Microsoft have been rejected. It’s clear Microsoft is filtering candidates that they let go, while they keep opening up positions,” the ex-employee wrote.
Redditors React: “You Are Gone!”
Other users on the thread were quick to weigh in with candid advice.
One user said, “You are gone! Do not waste your time applying other positions at the same firm. Admit this fact and look for elsewhere. Otherwise you will end up with wasting your time and energy.”
Another added, “Wait for current crop of HR and managers to get laid off too, then start reapplying.”
A third echoed the same sentiment: “This is typical. Once you a targeted for layoffs, HR usually makes it so it is difficult to get rehired in a short period of time. This is even true if they say you are free to apply internally.”
Layoffs Continue to Weigh on Microsoft
The conversation comes amid Microsoft’s sweeping workforce reductions in 2025. More than 15,000 jobs have been eliminated this year alone, with 9,000 cuts announced in early July.
CEO Satya Nadella, in a memo sent to employees and reported by CNBC, acknowledged the strain the layoffs have caused across teams. “Before anything else, I want to speak to what’s been weighing heavily on me, and what I know many of you are thinking about: the recent job eliminations,” Nadella wrote.
As of June 2024, Microsoft’s global workforce stood at 2,28,000. While the company has not shared an updated figure reflecting the 2025 cuts, Nadella insisted that total headcount remains “basically flat.”
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