Microsoft Corp.

(NASDAQ:MSFT) is reportedly preparing to announce another round of layoffs next week, with thousands of employees across sales, consulting and its Xbox gaming business expected to be affected.

Microsoft Reportedly Preparing Smaller Layoffs Than Last Year Microsoft is planning workforce reductions expected to affect thousands of employees, though the cuts are projected to be smaller than those announced last year, Business Insider reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The layoffs are likely to affect less than 2.5% of Microsoft's roughly 220,000-person global workforce.

The company could announce the reductions as early as next week, though the timing may change.