Microsoft ‘looking for big staff cuts’

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Plans for the cutbacks have not been finalised, insiders told the Wall Street Journal and Microsoft is seeking alternatives to control costs.

Microsoft is due to report quarterly earnings next week when it could unveil its jobs cut plans.

Google has said it will sack 100 full-time recruiters. Laszlo Bock, Google's personnel chief, said it now needs fewer people focused on hiring. Bock said Google had started by terminating contracts with external recruiters, but the worsening economy had necessitated the laying off of full-time workers.

The job cuts come after a series of cost-cutting moves by Google including less spending on its usually extravagant Christmas parties.

There was one good piece of news from the technology sector. IBM unveiled plans to open a computer support centre in Iowa, creating up to 1300 new jobs.