The mass layoff in the tech industry doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. While Microsoft has laid off employees earlier too, the company has once again sacked nearly 600 workers. This time it fired staff from hardware divisions including HoloLens, Surface and Xbox teams. 

These employees worked in the Seattle office, according to a report by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Microsoft has refused to comment on the layoff but said that it remains dedicated to mixed reality space and HoloLens 2.

"While we don't comment on specific staffing details, we can share there are no changes to HoloLens 2 and our commitment to mixed reality,” said a company spokesperson. 

The employees were informed about the layoffs by Xbox Chief Phil Spencer. He reportedly wrote to his employees, "I encourage everyone to take the time and space necessary to process these changes and support your colleagues.”

A now ex-employee of Microsoft took to LinkedIn to share that she was laid off. "My role, along with the roles of many of my amazingly talented colleagues, was eliminated today. I'm still trying to process things, and part of my process is to look back on the experiences that I've had during my time on this team.” 

Microsoft revealed its plans to lay off employees in January 2023. The firing spree will continue until the end of the third quarter of FY23. 

"The senior leadership team and I are committed that as we go through this process, we will do so in the most thoughtful and transparent way possible," it said. Prior to this, the company fired 1,000 employees across its different verticals in October 2022.