Xcast Online

The second round of Microsoft's massive,  5,000-employee axing move begins today, reports C|NET. 3,000 pink slips were issued today. Back when the unfortunate situation was initiated, it cost the gaming community not only the Gamerscore Blog and its hard-working employees, but also QA staffers at the Games for Windows group, and an entire development studio. In an email from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, it's stated:

 "In January, in response to the global economic downturn, I announced our plan to adjust the company's cost structure through spending reductions and job eliminations. Today, we are implementing the second phase of this plan. ... Today's action includes positions in the United States and in a number of countries around the world. In the U.S., affected employees will be notified directly by their managers today. In other countries, local leadership teams will provide more specific information about the impact to their organizations.... For those of you directly affected by today's announcement, I want to thank you for your contribution to Microsoft and assure you that we will continue to provide support as we did during the previous job eliminations."

Ballmer goes on to say that Microsoft are "moving quickly" to complete the restructuring move by June 2010, and that they will "closely monitor the impact of the economic downturn on the company" and react accordingly. That means if things do not pick up in this troubled world, more employees could be on the chopping block.

Best of luck to everyone affected. Let's just hope that the folks let go today aren't subjected to accidental overcompensation of severance, and then asked to give it back.

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