LayoffMath

Company severance · technology

Severance Pay at Microsoft — What to Expect & How to Negotiate

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The figures below are drawn from public news reporting about its January 2023 layoffs (~10,000 roles). Severance packages vary by role, tenure, and date, change over time, and are not guaranteed. Use them as a negotiating benchmark, not a promise — and confirm anything specific directly.

For its January 2023 layoffs of about 10,000 employees, Microsoft publicly described “above-market” severance, continued healthcare, career-transition support, and (in the US) treatment of equity per its plans. The company did not publish a single universal week-count formula, so specifics depend on level and tenure.

Use the estimate below to anchor what “above market” should mean for your role, then negotiate from there.

Microsoft vs. typical tech severance

Microsoft framed its package as above-market without a public flat formula — worth pinning to a concrete number in your own negotiation.

Microsoft (reported)Typical tech severance
Base severance“Above-market” reported1–2 weeks per year of service (more at senior levels)
HealthcareContinued coverage reportedCOBRA continuation, often unsubsidized
Transition supportReported includedSometimes offered; negotiable

Estimate your own Microsoft severance

The reported package is a benchmark, not your number. Estimate a fair range for your role and tenure, then negotiate against whatever you were actually offered.

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Other companies

Amazon →Google →Salesforce →

Severance rules by location

Washington →California →Texas →

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Figures from public reporting of Microsoft’s January 2023 layoffs. LayoffMath is not affiliated with Microsoft. This page provides educational estimates only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed employment attorney.