Microsoft cuts another 800 jobs

The world's largest software maker said the latest job cuts are spread across the company's operations around the world, but about 200 are in and around the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The layoffs came just over a week after Microsoft once again reported sharp declines in revenue and profits.

The original plan for Microsoft was to cut a total of 5,000 jobs or about 5 percent of the company's 96,000-strong workforce before June next year. A Microsoft spokesman said that plan has been expanded with the new layoffs and is now complete, well ahead of its schedule.

Microsoft didn't announce any specific products that are getting the axe as a result of the latest job cuts, although it has taken a variety of products off from retail shelves in recent months, including Microsoft Money and Windows Live OneCare.

A full statement from Microsoft stated:  "Earlier this year, we announced that in order to reduce costs, increase efficiency and prioritize our focus areas, we would eliminate approximately 5,000 positions by June 2010.  Today, we are eliminating around 800 positions spread across multiple businesses and locations and have completed our reduction plan sooner than we had anticipated 11 months ago.  At the same time, we continue to hire in priority areas, but also understand that continuing to manage our businesses closely, as we always do, can mean additional headcount adjustments."