Microsoft employee's wife who was laid off with 6000 others: 'Worked 25 years, laid off by a computer algorithm'

Microsoft recently announced that it is laying off almost 6000 employees, nearly 3% of its global workforce. This is the company’s second major round of layoffs. The layoffs also triggered widespread criticism after a viral Reddit post shared by the wife of a laid off employee. The post reveals that a long-serving employee was dismissed from the job by a computer algorithm. The post also describes that how the Microsoft employee was fired from his job.

A Reddit post by the wife of a Microsoft veteran described how her husband, who had worked at the company for 25 years, was randomly selected by a computer algorithm for termination—just days before his 48th birthday. She also detailed his dedicated towards his work by stating that he rarely took sick leave despite having autism and multiple sclerosis. He also highlighted that he worked from more than 60 hours a week and also volunteered for holiday shifts. The post also detailed that he never asked for raises and promotions.

“I don’t need pity. I just need someone to know what this world does to the people who give it everything—quietly, consistently, and without ever asking for more,” she wrote.


Read post of the wife shared by laid off Microsoft employee My husband was laid off from Microsoft by an algorithm — after 25 years, his last day is his birthday

My husband has worked for Microsoft for 25 years. He was just laid off — randomly selected by a computer algorithm. His last day is this Friday — his 48th birthday.

He is autistic and has multiple sclerosis. He’s the most quietly loyal, brilliant person I’ve ever met. Never missed a day of work. Rarely called in sick (and would then work from home). Worked 60+ hours a week. Took on-call shifts during Christmas and Thanksgiving so coworkers with children could be home. He never asked for raises or promotions — he just kept showing up and solving impossible problems.

He’s won awards for fixing multi-million-dollar bugs. He’s mentored hundreds of coworkers, including some who went on to lead teams and divisions. Even the CEOs knew his name. And yet he was let go — by a spreadsheet.

He got his 25-year crystal a few months ago. Now he’s being walked out.

He would be so embarrassed if he knew I was writing this. He’s proud of keeping a stiff upper lip and not making a fuss. But I couldn’t let him leave without someone hearing the story.

I don’t need pity. I just need someone to know what this world does to the people who give it everything — quietly, consistently, and without ever asking for more.