Microsoft Layoffs ~ Not Really Bad News

Don't listen to the news about massive at Microsoft layoffs - 1400 people yesterday out of over 90,000! And the whole announced layoff of 5000 over 18 months is Worldwide, plus they have announced that they will hire 2000-3000 people for certain teams, which means the net loss is more along the 1400 from yesterday.

This is smaller than layoffs from many of the other large companies with their Worldwide Headquarters in Western Washington. It won’t increase the Washington State unemployment rate. By the way why don’t we start reporting the employment rate which is now at about 93%!

Certainly, if you are one of the unfortunate who did get laid off from Microsoft, it is bad. What will those 1400 people end up doing? Hopefully some of them will be able to find another position on a different team at Microsoft. More likely, some of them will be signing up to work at Google’s new Kirkland campus, others will find positions with other smaller companies (like where Microsoft was 20 years ago).

The best scenario would be new businesses will be created. The number of Microsofties that have started new start ups is likely in the 1000’s. Some of the talented people that have lost their job this week will follow their dream of developing their own business. Those people will be the ones who help us recover from this downturn the fastest.


Focus on the Positive!
Randy Randolph
Uber Realtor®


Über: To have ultimate skills; to outdo or overcome challenges that others cannot even face. Being able to take on obstacles without much effort; having abilities that are only found among a chosen few.