Anonymous comments by Microsoft employees on severance package and job cuts

Anonymous postings by Microsoft employees at the popular Mini-Microsoft blog give a peek on the internal businesses within Microsoft which will be affected most by job cuts.

Most affected will be divisions that make its Zune music player, Microsoft Office software and Live Search site, but not in the group preparing its Windows 7 operating system, according to postings by affected Microsoft employees.

At the popular Mini-Microsoft blog, some of the former, current and just-laid-off employees of the software maker shared information about the layoffs. “Well I got the The Meeting this morning when I came in,” wrote one anonymous poster. “I’ve been a dev here for 6 years and I’m in the mid-70% category and my managers and HR relation assured me that this was not related to my reviews.”

 “I am just unlucky to be completely new in this team so I knew I was in a volatile position already,” the poster continued. “The package is decent — I’ll essentially get full pay and benefits for six months including the 60 days of internal job seeking.”

Even though Microsoft is cutting around 6% of there worldwide workforce they will still continue hiring for some areas, hence there total net reduction will be between 2000 and 3000 jobs.

Although Microsoft spokeswoman declined to comment on the postings at Mini-Microsoft. These news are making rounds all over the Internet.

Some posters at Mini-Microsoft claimed that Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices division is being hit hard by the layoffs. E&D makes the Xbox 360 game console, the Windows Mobile operating system and the Zune music player.

Cuts were also reported in the Microsoft Business division, which sells the popular Office suite as well as the Dynamics CRM software; the Online Services business, which runs the struggling Live Search site; and Global Foundation Services, which runs all of Microsoft’s Web services, such as MSN and Windows Live.

Those laid off for poor performance will lose access to Microsoft’s network by Friday, while those whose jobs were eliminated for other reasons are being given 60 days to find another job within Microsoft, according to reports.

“Severance benefits will be available to impacted individuals,” the spokeswoman said. “While the specific severance benefits will vary by country, impacted employees in the U.S. may be eligible for a minimum of 60 days of pay, as well as severance pay that is calculated on tenure and level.”