A senior program manager’s post about losing her job at Microsoft midweek is striking a chord across LinkedIn—and raising eyebrows inside tech circles still reeling from ongoing mass layoffs.
It wasn’t just the job cut that rattled her. It was how it happened. A last-minute calendar invite from a higher-up. No agenda. Just vague anxiety. Then, the moment an unfamiliar face popped up on screen, it hit her: this was it. She was being let go.
Microsoft’s Layoff Wave Is Still Sending Shockwaves
Microsoft has trimmed nearly 6,000 jobs, or close to 3% of its workforce, marking its biggest round of layoffs since early 2023. This time, there’s less public fanfare—but just as much personal fallout.
Unlike dramatic Zoom firings that went viral in years past, today’s layoffs have a quieter, eerier rhythm. Employees often find out they’re on the chopping block through small changes: blocked access, missing tools, or, as in this case, an ominous meeting request with no details.
One employee, who shared her experience publicly on LinkedIn, worked at Microsoft for over seven years. She said the minute an unknown name joined her video call, she “quickly realized” she was part of the company’s latest cut.
“We Got This,” She Told Fellow Laid-Off Workers
In her post, the now-former senior program manager reflected on the bittersweet end to a long journey. Starting at Microsoft in 2018, she had moved through multiple roles and teams, ultimately landing in management. Despite the ending, she called her time there “amazing.”
The tone of her post wasn’t angry—it was more like a deep exhale. She thanked her colleagues, admitted she’d need a few days to figure out what’s next, and made it clear she’s “Open to Work.”
Then, she left this message for others in her shoes:
-
“I know this is not the best time to unexpectedly enter the job market, but I am sending positive thoughts to all MSFTies impacted as well. We got this.”
Microsoft’s Layoffs Aren’t Isolated—And They Aren’t Over
The tech giant isn’t alone in trimming headcount. Just this year, dozens of large employers have quietly pulled back hiring or cut jobs entirely. AI might be the buzzword of 2025, but it’s not protecting everyone from pink slips.
In Microsoft’s case, the company is adjusting to new fiscal priorities for FY26. That means some departments are expanding while others—like customer success, program management, and older cloud teams—are seeing sharp cuts.
The structure of these meetings isn’t random. Experts say companies increasingly use “skip-level” managers to deliver tough news, sometimes accompanied by HR personnel to handle fallout on the spot.
One HR consultant called it “a psychological buffer.” Cold, but common.
Layoffs by the Numbers
The scale of tech layoffs this year isn’t quite at pandemic levels—but it’s significant. According to Layoffs.fyi, over 115,000 tech workers have been laid off globally in 2025 so far. Microsoft accounts for a sizable chunk of that.
Here’s how Microsoft’s 2025 workforce shift stacks up:
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Employees (pre-layoff) | ~221,000 |
| Layoffs in 2025 | ~6,000 |
| % of Workforce Affected | 2.7% |
| Biggest Previous Cut | 10,000 (2023) |
Some insiders believe this is far from the last round.
The Human Toll Behind Corporate Restructuring
For all the tidy press releases and canned statements, the human side is harder to ignore.
A sudden video call. An unfamiliar name. That gut feeling in the pit of your stomach that something’s off. That’s how one employee described it.
“I was spiraling trying to figure out the agenda,” she wrote. “FY26 priorities? Reorg?”
Turns out, it wasn’t about work at all. It was about ending her tenure.
Still, her message was anything but hopeless. That’s what’s resonated online. It’s not that people are shocked someone got laid off—it’s the quiet dignity in how she handled it.
Reactions Pour In From Across the Tech Industry
Her post didn’t go unnoticed. Dozens of comments came in from peers, recruiters, and former colleagues, many offering leads, referrals, and support. A few shared their own stories of being let go the exact same way.
Others highlighted a shared anxiety:
-
“It’s that feeling when your calendar pings at 10:30 AM, and your stomach drops.”
-
“Been there. That face you’ve never seen before? It’s never a good sign.”
Some offered job openings. Others just said: “You’re not alone.”
Her LinkedIn profile has since been updated to reflect her status. The words “Open to Work” are now highlighted in green under her name.
