Microsoft is laying off hundreds of employees in Russia

Tudor Cibean

Posts: 182   +11
Staff
In context: In March, Microsoft stopped selling new products in Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. Now, the Windows maker will reportedly lay off over 400 employees from its business in Russia, citing economic conditions in the country as the reason. This news comes a day after IBM's announcement that it's laying off its entire Russia-based workforce.

Microsoft has just announced that it's significantly scaling down its operations in Russia. The move comes after the company suspended all new sales in the country in March due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A Microsoft spokesperson claims they made the decision because of changes to the economic outlook and the impact on its business in Russia. The firm also stated that it continues to fulfill its existing contractual obligations with Russian customers while the suspension of new sales remains in effect.

Over 400 employees will reportedly be affected by this move, although it's unknown how many people are currently working for Microsoft in Russia. "We are working closely with impacted employees to ensure they are treated with respect and have our full support during this difficult time", Microsoft said in the statement to Bloomberg News.

During the company's third-quarter earnings call, CFO Amy Hood said that Russia accounts for less than 1 percent of Microsoft's total revenue. She also added that expectations are it will decline significantly.

Just yesterday, we learned that IBM is also starting to lay off personnel in Russia, although it blamed the move on the banking sanctions the country is facing instead. When it comes to technology, it seems that Russia will have to rely more and more on local and Chinese products, as even Taiwan is restricting its exported chips to those under 25 MHz.

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They should fire them all, so that the common Russian understands what is to suffer when they elect or support persons like Putin; also the probability that Microsoft workers are providing government-run software companies info about Microsoft software/secrets is very high.
Independently if one country is more socialist or capitalist, left or right, they should understand that they have to behave and get along with all countries. But some countries think they can and should do as they want...

Russia, North Korea and some others just don't get along with others, so doing business with them is to feed problems, sadly. Also most Russians I know of, are either working as (bad) security in discos, private security (intimidate or physically assaulting) or have obscure business. Of course there are some that are just "regular" honest working people (I work with some of them)! China or Turkey are some "gray" countries, one foot on the dark side, one for on the white side. I hope they stay longer on the white side... it will benefit them and us.
 
They should fire them all, so that the common Russian understands what is to suffer when they elect or support persons like Putin; also the probability that Microsoft workers are providing government-run software companies info about Microsoft software/secrets is very high.
Independently if one country is more socialist or capitalist, left or right, they should understand that they have to behave and get along with all countries. But some countries think they can and should do as they want...

Russia, North Korea and some others just don't get along with others, so doing business with them is to feed problems, sadly. Also most Russians I know of, are either working as (bad) security in discos, private security (intimidate or physically assaulting) or have obscure business. Of course there are some that are just "regular" honest working people (I work with some of them)! China or Turkey are some "gray" countries, one foot on the dark side, one for on the white side. I hope they stay longer on the white side... it will benefit them and us.
I agree with your logic, the US being by far the worst offender, they illegally attack other countries, bully others, disrespect international law and conventions, has one of the worst "democratic" systems in the world where the rich make the laws and control the country, spies on everyone including their allies and own citizens.
Microsoft should fire everyone in the US and bring their businesse to somewhere like Switzerland, and protect our data.
 
They should fire them all, so that the common Russian understands what is to suffer when they elect or support persons like Putin; also the probability that Microsoft workers are providing government-run software companies info about Microsoft software/secrets is very high.
Independently if one country is more socialist or capitalist, left or right, they should understand that they have to behave and get along with all countries. But some countries think they can and should do as they want...

Russia, North Korea and some others just don't get along with others, so doing business with them is to feed problems, sadly. Also most Russians I know of, are either working as (bad) security in discos, private security (intimidate or physically assaulting) or have obscure business. Of course there are some that are just "regular" honest working people (I work with some of them)! China or Turkey are some "gray" countries, one foot on the dark side, one for on the white side. I hope they stay longer on the white side... it will benefit them and us.
And the bright side is USA and its allies, right? BS
 
It's sad to see people affect by their "unfortunate" place they were born or they moved to.
It's even more sad when you realize those are mainly IT people, a profession where working brain is one of the most valued traits.
 
I agree with your logic, the US being by far the worst offender, they illegally attack other countries, [...]
Microsoft should fire everyone in the US and bring their businesse to somewhere like Switzerland, and protect our data.
And the bright side is USA and its allies, right? BS

1) the "white" side is "reasonable countries" side. Most America (South and North), Europe and lots of Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, respect each others and get along. The issue is that the "dark side" apologists love to make it a party of two: "dark" countries vs. USA, when that is wrong. But I love to see as most of those countries put the USA as "the bad guy".

Is most the entire EU a bad guy also? Is Australia or Canada or New Zealand or the UK or Ukraine or South Korea or Japan "bad guys" also?

Those are just examples from MANY MANY countries that get along, democratic where people can visit, work, live make vacations or trade with. Then you have "other" countries that are just a complete mess......

2) Geralt, are you talking about Switzerland, the country that is the dark deposit from much of the black money (or equivalent as art / jewelry)? The country where most gold bought for cheap on other countries (due to family poverty that have to sell family goods/jewelry to keep paying the bills) goes to be melt down and made gold bars from and then sold much more expensive? You mean the country that rarely helps people or other countries and rarely gives money away "for free" to poor countries / communities? You mean that country that never helps to moderate fights or puts a finger to help others?

Good example...........
 
It's sad to see people affect by their "unfortunate" place they were born or they moved to.
It's even more sad when you realize those are mainly IT people, a profession where working brain is one of the most valued traits.
Yes it is but there are a lot of Russian engineers and IT people in (for example) Germany and other European countries mainly specialized in developing software and devices to hack high-end cars (VAG group as Porsche and Audi, BMW, etc. ) and high end house alarms. They are also specialized in bank software to wash money. Nice use of IT knowledge...

If you ever visit Germany, UK, Italy, etc., just ask where do most of those "hackers" come from and almost all of them come from Russia.

In my country (in Europe) we use to say: "what you do,says a lot of what you are". We have minority groups that have an excellent feedback and minority groups that have very bad feedback (most of them Russians or old URSS part). As I said before, I work with some Russians and they are great people, they also are ashamed with most of their countrymen...
 
Considering the number of hacks coming out of Russia I am surprised they don't just close up and ban them from accessing their products. While this probably isn't a real possibility or probability, they and other American companies that continue to do business in unfriendly countries should face grave penalties and strong encouragement to push their development efforts to more solid, pro-US countries.
 
And the bright side is USA and its allies, right? BS

Well there's a reason why 100,000s are queuing up at the borders of these countries to get in!

You fundamentally misunderstood what knits Western nations together. Maybe because you haven't experienced it? It's not hatred of Russia, or a thirst for geopolitical power that drives them. It's a common affinity for a better way of life, and the preservation of that.
 
Well there's a reason why 100,000s are queuing up at the borders of these countries to get in!

You fundamentally misunderstood what knits Western nations together. Maybe because you haven't experienced it? It's not hatred of Russia, or a thirst for geopolitical power that drives them. It's a common affinity for a better way of life, and the preservation of that.
Best comment of the day
 
Hey dude, how's that whataboutism working out for ya?

If you hate the West so much, why don't you move yourself and your family to Russia or North Korea, seriously?
I already did it. I live in/love Moscow. Thanks anyway for your recommendation.
 
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Best comment of the day
And what is a better way of life, the model of the USA and its allies? To live in shootings all the time, to be surrounded by drug-addicts and all kind of perversions in the name of freedom? It is not my way of thinking about a better way of life. And like me, millions of people think. We don't want USA and its minions to try to force us to accept their way of living as the only model of living. This is what the West cannot accept: Most Russians, for example, live happily like this, and they don't understand/want the Western model at all. If some day, the arrogant Westerners can understand this simple truth, they will be able to live in peace and let other countries live in peace too. Some countries just don't want their democracy and similar stuff, and no way to convince them.
 
Well there's a reason why 100,000s are queuing up at the borders of these countries to get in!

You fundamentally misunderstood what knits Western nations together. Maybe because you haven't experienced it? It's not hatred of Russia, or a thirst for geopolitical power that drives them. It's a common affinity for a better way of life, and the preservation of that.

So wrong...

European countries are united on one main point: An absolute obsession with geopolitical power. It's bloody obvious. You find their tentacles all over the world. The US has over 800 military bases. All meant to control the world.

3rd world people come to the West for only one reason. Financial opportunity. They don't come here because they 'love the constitution' or like Western culture. No, it's all about getting a piece of the Western pie. And that pie is 100% based on geopolitical power.

The West is presently going hysterical that Russia dares to upset their applecart. Notice how the West absolutely REFUSES to negotiate? In their minds only Western Leaders have the right to rule the world.
 
And what is a better way of life, the model of the USA and its allies? To live in shootings all the time, to be surrounded by drug-addicts and all kind of perversions in the name of freedom?
Well, most EU countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Japan are one of safest worldwide.

And there are no shootings and drug addicts in Russia?! Ha ha ha there are and a lot, but the government "shuts them up" (forever) quickly.

Don't mistake COVER UP with DOESN'T EXIST. If I cover the dirt in my house with a carpet, it doesn't mean that my house is clean... well that is more or less what happens. If in western countries corruption goes public fast and in counties as Russia people / news have to shut up or "disappear" , it doesn't mean there is no corruption there.

So wrong...

European countries are united on one main point: An absolute obsession with geopolitical power. [...]
3rd world people come to the West for only one reason. Financial opportunity. [...]
The West is presently going hysterical that Russia dares to upset their applecart.
The West?! You know that Japan, Australia and many others are the outermost EAST ?!?! Do you have geography in school or do you have the world map also on a different order?

Your comment is full of... well... nonsense and it shows more with this sentence "3rd world people come to the West for only one reason. Financial opportunity."

If ALL have the same opportunity, then it's FAIR!!! Tesla, Amazon and many others are the most rich without the need for manipulating OIL, GAS, Narcotics, and others as many of the Russian oligarchs. Many of the businesses went from a garage, university etc to one of the world's biggest businesses.

Can a standard person in Russia, North Korea and others accomplish that with a real legal business? Rarely.

But the examples of actors, businessmen, singers, artists, dealers, etc in most "Western" countries (which in fact are 50% eastern) that came from very simple families are immense.
 
So wrong...

European countries are united on one main point: An absolute obsession with geopolitical power. It's bloody obvious. You find their tentacles all over the world. The US has over 800 military bases. All meant to control the world.

3rd world people come to the West for only one reason. Financial opportunity. They don't come here because they 'love the constitution' or like Western culture. No, it's all about getting a piece of the Western pie. And that pie is 100% based on geopolitical power.

The West is presently going hysterical that Russia dares to upset their applecart. Notice how the West absolutely REFUSES to negotiate? In their minds only Western Leaders have the right to rule the world.

No its guaranteed free trade for all and without it we would not have seen one of the most peaceful times in our history. Also the global development enabled by this is also unparalleled. People are amazed at Chinas growth but in reality, it would not have happened anywhere near as fast without the current global order
 
And what is a better way of life, the model of the USA and its allies? To live in shootings all the time, to be surrounded by drug-addicts and all kind of perversions in the name of freedom? It is not my way of thinking about a better way of life. And like me, millions of people think. We don't want USA and its minions to try to force us to accept their way of living as the only model of living. This is what the West cannot accept: Most Russians, for example, live happily like this, and they don't understand/want the Western model at all. If some day, the arrogant Westerners can understand this simple truth, they will be able to live in peace and let other countries live in peace too. Some countries just don't want their democracy and similar stuff, and no way to convince them.

Sorry, but that is laughable. As a European who has experienced very little of the "western" life you've just described to be too concerned, I can assure you we want nothing from Putin or Russia except to leave us alone. Russia was the last thing on my mind when I woke up in the morning, at least until February..

You have the nerve to preach about being left in peace, while your military is brutalising and figuratively raping a sovereign neighbor? If you're worried about hypocrisy, start in your own back yard.

Perversions and drug addicts :D You have as much of that in Moscow as anywhere else in the world, don't delude yourself!


 
Perversions and drug addicts :D You have as much of that in Moscow as anywhere else in the world, don't delude yourself!
The world's "best", and most perverse porn comes from Russia, (and to some extent Ukraine). Fortunately, (or unfortunately, depending on your POV), they also have the best looking women as well.

One only has to imagine why Russian soldiers want to get their "hands" on them..
 
So wrong...

European countries are united on one main point: An absolute obsession with geopolitical power. It's bloody obvious. You find their tentacles all over the world. The US has over 800 military bases. All meant to control the world.

Let me get that straight. Your theory that Europe is obsessed with geopolitical power is based on the fact thay the US has built military bases all over the world? I guess Europe made them do it!!
 
Well there's a reason why 100,000s are queuing up at the borders of these countries to get in!

You fundamentally misunderstood what knits Western nations together. Maybe because you haven't experienced it? It's not hatred of Russia, or a thirst for geopolitical power that drives them. It's a common affinity for a better way of life, and the preservation of that.
Because they get free stuff aka welfare.
 
It's the same thing that I said about IBM employees. If you elect a monster, the rest of the world will turn its back on you. None of us lives in a political vacuum anymore. I don't like hearing about people losing their jobs but a good number of them voted for Putin so this is their fault.
 
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