A buyout and a layoff both mean leaving a job, but there’s one key difference: choice. In a buyout, the company offers employees money and other benefits to leave voluntarily. In a layoff, the company decides to cut jobs, and employees usually have little say in the decision. This difference is important as Microsoft has rolled out a Voluntary Exit Offer (VEO) for eligible employees in India, the US, Canada and the UK. Reports suggest around 60,000 employees could be eligible, although Microsoft has not confirmed the number. The move comes as the technology giant continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure while managing its workforce and operating costs.
