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Microsoft Slightly Smaller

Microsoft shrunk a tad on Wednesday when 800 pink slips were issued. Lest you think Microsoft is in real trouble, these layoffs are part of the 5,000 jobs the company announced earlier this year would be disappearing. However, it seems that this is, in a way, an additional layoff, and that with these cuts some 5,400 jobs are lost.

I have mixed feelings about all this. The layoffs are not to stem losses, but to protect profits. Microsoft still makes gobs of money. Then again, we live in a capitalist society and Microsoft is a public company beholden to shareholders.

What's your take? Are layoffs in pursuit of profits just part of the American way, or a tawdry way to treat people you thought were smart enough to hire? Answers welcome at [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on November 06, 2009


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