Microsoft has been battling declining revenues exacerbated by the economic downturn that manifested in 2008. The company recently reported results for the September quarter that were ahead of analyst expectations, but the company felt the need to further react to its current business levels.
In a statement released to PaidContent.org, Microsoft sounded much like Apple when that company was making layoffs in the earlier part of this decade, saying, “We continue to hire in priority areas, but also understand that continuing to manage our businesses closely, as we always do, can mean additional headcount adjustments.”
Apple shifted its headcount in small, but consistent doses as it ramped up its then-new retail business several years ago. At the time, Apple talked a lot about making headcount adjustments.