Microsoft wields the axe again

Final chop in job cuts plan

Microsoft has cut another 3000 jobs, the firm announced this week.

This is likely to be the last round of cuts after the software giant said in the summer it was intending to get rid of 18,000 jobs - or 14 per cent of its workforce.

In July, 13,000 employees were given the chop, with another 2,100 being shown the axe in September.

The latest round sees 638 jobs going in Washington State - where Microsoft has its headquarters - according to Reuters.

The cuts are not unexpected, given the firm's announcement in July and lay-offs to date.

"We've taken another step that will complete almost all the 18,000 reductions announced in July," said a Microsoft spokesman quoted in Reuters. "The reductions happening today are spread across many different business units and many different countries."

After the September job cuts, Microsoft put out a statement saying that it would go through the process of laying off staff in "the most thoughtful manner possible and with the deepest respect for affected individuals and recognition of their service to the company".

It added that it would be offering severance to all affected employees.