Microsoft losing staff as it reportedly closes London Skype HQ
A number of Skype and Yammer employees are at risk of losing their jobs if the reported closure of Skype’s UK office goes ahead.
The Financial Times reported the decision initially, providing at least some confirmation of changes afoot in Microsoft’s UK structure. Currently, Skype and Yammer staff occupy seperate office space, but will consolidate key remaining employees into its Paddington headquarters in London.
A Microsoft spokesperson told the FT, “Microsoft reviewed some London-based roles and made the decision to unify some engineering positions”. While the exact number of redundancies is unknown, there are around 400 employees in the office currently.
Though little consolation, Microsoft said it was “deeply committed to help those impacted during this process.”
It’s not just Skype and Yammer where Microsoft will be cutting back though; earlier this month, it said it would need to lose nearly 3,000 jobs from its various businesses around the world.
Related: Microsoft is sacking 7,800 employees to “restructure” smartphone business
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