Microsoft, Amazon To Lay Off Thousands Due To Possible Recession

Microsoft, Amazon To Lay Off Thousands Due To Possible Recession


January 20, 2023 | Eul Basa

Microsoft, Amazon To Lay Off Thousands Due To Possible Recession


The first month of 2023 has been rocky for the tech industry to say the least, and unfortunately, it seems that the situation is not getting any better. Many corporations are in the midst of conducting mass layoffs, with tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon facing tough decisions ahead.

Microsoft has announced that it plans to lay off as much as 5% of its workforce, with chief executive Satya Nadella sharing with Reuters that the company is exercising caution during these tough economic times. "Some parts of the world are in a recession and other parts are anticipating one," he said. Microsoft had 221,000 full-time employees by the end of June 2022, which was a 22% increase in staff from the year before. Now, such growth will be counteracted by a substantial drop in staffing that is to be expected this year.

Amazon continues to hold the top spot for the most lay-offs yet at 18,000. Doug Herrington, the chief of retail, wrote in a memo this week explaining that expansions during the Covid era were one of the main reasons for the current setbacks.

microsoftWikipedia

“During Covid, our first priority was scaling to meet the needs of our customers while ensuring the safety of our employees. I’m incredibly proud of this team’s work during this period,” he said. “Although other companies might have balked at the short-term economics, we prioritized investing for customers and employees during these unprecedented times.”

So far this year, both companies have let go of a combined 28,000 employees, and that number is still expected to grow. Given the current trend, it's possible that such a number could surpass that seen in November 2022, when the tech industry saw upwards of 50,000 layoffs due to the ongoing economic downturn. 

According to various reports, Microsoft, Amazon, and their contemporaries have resorted to layoffs due to unstable macroeconomic conditions and the possibility of a future recession.

 

Sources: 1, 2, 3


READ MORE

A man in a car giving cash to a drive-thru woman who is giving change from her purse.

My cash was refused at a coffee shop. When I complained, the worker took change from her own purse for my transaction—can they do that?

Can a business refuse cash and can employees use their own money for your purchase? Here’s what the law actually says about this awkward drive-thru situation.
March 27, 2026 Allison Robertson

Mold and pests from our hoarder neighbor cost us thousands. The condo board knew about it for years, shouldn’t they have to pay for repairs?

If your property or living space has been damaged by a neighbor's hoarding behavior, it's key to find out whether the property managers or condo board were aware of the problem.
March 27, 2026 Alex Summers

I made a mistake with company inventory and now they’ve deducted money from my paycheck for “lost merchandise.” Can they do this?

Your employer deducted money from your pay for an honest mistake. Here's what you need to do right away.
March 27, 2026 Sammy Tran
Woman tried to pay with cash at store

I tried to pay with cash at a store and they actually refused it. Isn't that illegal?

Sure, everyone is tapping and swiping to pay these days-and that's great. But sometimes, some of us still like to use actual cold, hard cash. So how on earth can a store not accept it? It's legal tender, so it must be illegal to refuse it, right?
March 25, 2026 Jesse Singer
Man with papers outside suburban home

A Man Used ChatGPT To Sell His House—And Made $100,000 More Than Expected

You’re supposed to trust the experts when selling your home, right? Get a few opinions, pick a price, list it, and cross your fingers. But one Florida homeowner decided to do things a little different—okay, a lot different. So he uncrossed his fingers and tried something most of us wouldn’t even consider…and it changed everything.
March 26, 2026 Jesse Singer

My Dad is an oil exec. He promised me a job once I completed OJT in a different state. I got back, and the position was filled. What can I do?

My dad promised me a job at his oil company—but the role was filled when I returned. Here’s what to do next, how to navigate the situation, and how to build your career independently.
March 27, 2026 Jack Hawkins


Disclaimer

The information on MoneyMade.com is intended to support financial literacy and should not be considered tax or legal advice. It is not meant to serve as a forecast, research report, or investment recommendation, nor should it be taken as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or adopt any particular investment strategy. All financial, tax, and legal decisions should be made with the help of a qualified professional. We do not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or outcomes associated with the use of this content.





Dear reader,


It’s true what they say: money makes the world go round. In order to succeed in this life, you need to have a good grasp of key financial concepts. That’s where Moneymade comes in. Our mission is to provide you with the best financial advice and information to help you navigate this ever-changing world. Sometimes, generating wealth just requires common sense. Don’t max out your credit card if you can’t afford the interest payments. Don’t overspend on Christmas shopping. When ordering gifts on Amazon, make sure you factor in taxes and shipping costs. If you need a new car, consider a model that’s easy to repair instead of an expensive BMW or Mercedes. Sometimes you dream vacation to Hawaii or the Bahamas just isn’t in the budget, but there may be more affordable all-inclusive hotels if you know where to look.


Looking for a new home? Make sure you get a mortgage rate that works for you. That means understanding the difference between fixed and variable interest rates. Whether you’re looking to learn how to make money, save money, or invest your money, our well-researched and insightful content will set you on the path to financial success. Passionate about mortgage rates, real estate, investing, saving, or anything money-related? Looking to learn how to generate wealth? Improve your life today with Moneymade. If you have any feedback for the MoneyMade team, please reach out to [email protected]. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,

The Moneymade team