LinkedIn Layoffs: Microsoft-Owned Professional Network To Lay Off 5% of Global Workforce Despite Revenue Growth
LinkedIn is set to lay off approximately 5 per cent of its 17,500-strong global workforce as part of a strategic reorganisation. Despite a 12 per cent revenue increase in the latest quarter, the company is shifting personnel toward growth areas. This move follows similar workforce reductions across the broader technology sector as firms adjust operations to improve efficiency.
LinkedIn is expected to inform staff of layoffs on Wednesday, May 13, marking a significant reduction in the company's workforce as the professional social network moves to reorganise its internal teams. The move, described as a strategic shift toward growth areas, follows a period of accelerated revenue growth for the Microsoft-owned platform.
Scope of Workforce Reduction at LinkedIn
According to sources familiar with the matter, LinkedIn plans to cut approximately five per cent of its global headcount. The company currently employs over 17,500 full-time workers worldwide. While the specific departments impacted by the reduction have not been publicly disclosed, the reorganisation is designed to align personnel with the company's evolving business priorities. GitLab Layoffs: America’s Software Development Platform To Cut Workforce in Markets by 30% To Accelerate AI Strategy.
The layoffs occur despite recent financial growth. Microsoft's latest securities filings indicate that LinkedIn's revenue, driven by its recruitment tools and subscription services, rose by 12 per cent in the most recent quarter compared to the previous year.
Strategic Reorganisation Amid Industry Trends
Sources close to the development emphasised that the layoff rationale was "not for artificial intelligence to replace jobs at LinkedIn." Despite this clarification, the broader technology sector continues to navigate a landscape significantly influenced by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. The decision at LinkedIn is part of a wider pattern of downsizing across the technology sector in 2026. Numerous software and internet firms are currently reshaping their operational structures. Other notable recent workforce reductions in the industry include:
- Block: Announced in February plans to eliminate nearly half of its workforce.
- Cloudflare: Unveiled a roughly 20 per cent staff reduction last week.
- Meta Platforms: Targeted a layoff date of May 20, as reported earlier. General Motors Layoffs: US-Based Automaker Cuts 600 IT Roles in Major Shift Toward AI-Native Workforce.
As companies continue to pivot toward AI-driven models, the pressure on software incumbents to refine their operational efficiency remains high, leading to ongoing adjustments in staffing levels across the industry. LinkedIn has not provided further comment on the specific timeline or the departments affected by the upcoming changes.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 13, 2026 09:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
