LinkedIn Layoffs: Latest Updates, Severance, WARN and Employee Guide

Recent layoffHigh confidenceLatest verified event: May 13, 2026· Reviewed July 24, 2026

LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, cut about 5% of staff (~875 roles) in May 2026 amid a broader tech-layoff wave and its parent's own reductions.

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Educational, employee-first summary of publicly available information — not legal, financial, tax or immigration advice, and not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Verify your specific situation with HR, official notices and qualified professionals.

Quick answer

Latest verified development: On May 13, 2026 LinkedIn — a subsidiary of Microsoft — announced it would cut about 5% of its global workforce, roughly 875 jobs (reported as up to about 1,000), across engineering, product, marketing and its Global Business Organization, with a notable Bay Area impact. LinkedIn said the cuts reflect a reorganization toward growth areas, not AI.
What kind of event: A company-wide reorganization at a Microsoft subsidiary, the latest of several LinkedIn reductions (it also cut about 668 roles in 2023).
What number is confirmed: ~875 (about 5%) in May 2026 (reported via Reuters). Earlier, LinkedIn cut about 668 roles in October 2023 (and closed its InCareer app in China).
Who appears most affected: Engineering, product, marketing and the Global Business Organization (sales), with hundreds of Bay Area workers affected in 2026. Confirm your specific team.
What to verify first: Which legal entity employs you (LinkedIn vs. Microsoft), your official termination date, your severance offer, and your stock-award vesting.

Current status as of July 24, 2026

Classification: Recent layoff

Confirmed

✓May 13, 2026: ~875 roles (about 5% of the >17,500-person global workforce), across engineering, product, marketing and the Global Business Organization.
✓October 2023: ~668 roles cut; LinkedIn also shut down its InCareer app in China.

Reported / proposed (not confirmed)

•LinkedIn said the 2026 cut reflects a reorganization toward growth areas and is not AI-driven, even as it adds headcount in some areas.
•Parent company Microsoft ran its own large reductions across 2025–2026, so LinkedIn employees should track both.

LinkedIn snapshot

Legal employer name	LinkedIn Corporation
Common name	LinkedIn
Parent company	Microsoft Corporation
Covered subsidiaries	—
Industry	Professional networking (software / SaaS)
Headquarters	Sunnyvale, California, United States
Ticker	—
Employee base	more than 17,500 full-time employees globally (as of May 13, 2026)
Latest verified event	~875 roles (about 5%) — engineering, product, marketing, sales (GBO) — May 13, 2026
Historical H-1B sponsor	Yes (federal data)
Source confidence	High confidence
Guide last reviewed	July 24, 2026 by Deepak Middha

LinkedIn layoff timeline

LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, so Microsoft-wide efficiency drives can influence it, but LinkedIn also runs its own reductions with its own terms. Rounds are listed newest first; confirm which legal entity employs you.

~875 roles (about 5%) — engineering, product, marketing, sales (GBO)

May 13, 2026high

LayoffCompany-announcedAffected: ~875 (about 5%; reported up to ~1,000) (~5%)

Affected divisions: Engineering, Product, Marketing, Global Business Organization (sales)
Affected roles: Software engineering, Product, Marketing, Sales
Locations: Global (notable Bay Area / Sunnyvale, CA impact)

Company-stated reason: LinkedIn framed the cut as a reorganization toward growth areas rather than an AI-driven reduction, even as revenue continued to grow — suggesting a second pass at optimization while continuing to add in some areas. [1],[2]

What this means for you: Confirm whether your employer of record is LinkedIn Corporation (vs. Microsoft) — severance, stock and benefits can differ. As a Microsoft subsidiary, LinkedIn's stock awards are Microsoft (MSFT) shares, so map your MSFT vest dates.

~668 roles cut; InCareer (China app) shut down

October 16, 2023high

LayoffCompany-announcedAffected: ~668

Affected divisions: Engineering, Product, Talent, Finance
Affected roles: Engineering, Product, Talent, Finance
Locations: Global (incl. China app closure)

Company-stated reason: Part of LinkedIn's 2023 reductions; the company also closed its standalone InCareer app in China. (Earlier in 2023, LinkedIn had cut roughly 700 roles in a separate round.) [3]

What this means for you: Historical context: LinkedIn has reorganized repeatedly. Terms evolve by round, so don't assume a 2023 colleague's package matches a current one.

What changed between rounds

A Microsoft subsidiary — but its own reductions

LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, which ran its own large 2025–2026 layoffs, but LinkedIn also cuts independently with its own terms. The most important practical consequence: your stock awards are Microsoft (MSFT) shares, and your benefits/severance follow LinkedIn's plans — so confirm your employer of record and which plan documents apply. See the Microsoft guide for parent-company context.

Reorganization, not (officially) AI

LinkedIn framed the 2026 cut as a reorganization toward growth areas rather than an AI-driven reduction, even while revenue grew. That mirrors Intuit's and Microsoft's messaging in the same period — for employees, the framing matters less than confirming your own role's status, termination date and severance.

Recurring optimization

LinkedIn has reduced staff multiple times (roughly 700 and 668 in 2023, ~875 in 2026), continuing to add in some areas while cutting in others. Treat 'we finished optimizing' as a weak signal and keep your documents and network current.

WARN notice research

LinkedIn is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and its 2026 cut notably hit Bay Area workers, so California's official EDD WARN listing is the place to check for U.S. filings. WARN coverage depends on the worksite, size, timing and state law. Search the official database for your worksite state.

No matching official filing was located during the latest review. This does not establish that WARN did not apply or that no notice exists. WARN coverage depends on the employer, worksite, event size, timing, exceptions and state law. Verify in the official database for your worksite's state — not the company headquarters state.

Check the official WARN database for your worksite state:

California WARN New York WARN Illinois WARN

WARN Tracker What a WARN notice means WARN law by state

Historically reported LinkedIn severance packages

Historically reported LinkedIn severance. As a Microsoft subsidiary, LinkedIn's terms follow its own plans; no per-year formula is public.

U.S. employees (LinkedIn Corporation) · 2026

Reported / undisclosedlimited

United States

LinkedIn has provided severance for its layoff rounds but has not published a per-year formula. Because LinkedIn is a Microsoft subsidiary, its equity awards are Microsoft (MSFT) stock and its benefits/severance follow LinkedIn's own plans — which may differ from Microsoft Corporation's reported terms. Amounts vary by role, level, tenure and location. [1]

Cash severance	Provided; per-person amount not publicly disclosed as a formula (tenure/level-related)
Stock (MSFT)	Unvested Microsoft (MSFT) stock awards are generally forfeited at separation — map your specific vest dates
Health coverage	Confirm coverage end date and COBRA under LinkedIn's plan
Employer of record	Confirm whether LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft is your legal employer — it drives which severance/benefits apply
Release	A release is typically required; OWBPA review/revocation windows apply if 40+ and for group programs

Caveat: Past packages provide historical context only. LinkedIn has not published a severance formula, and its terms (though it's a Microsoft subsidiary) follow LinkedIn's own plans. Do not assume Microsoft Corporation's reported severance terms apply to you — confirm your specific LinkedIn terms with HR in writing.

Past packages provide historical context only. Your terms may differ by layoff round, role, level, tenure, location, legal employer and separation agreement. If you are 40 or older, review the severance agreement over 40 (OWBPA) guide before signing.

Estimate your severance

Free severance pay calculator — not a promise of LinkedIn terms.

Calculate your runway

Combine severance, notice/WARN pay, final pay, PTO, unemployment and savings against expenses.

LinkedIn-specific compensation issues

Your equity is Microsoft (MSFT) stock

Because LinkedIn is a Microsoft subsidiary, LinkedIn employees are typically granted Microsoft (MSFT) stock awards, not a separate LinkedIn equity. Unvested MSFT awards are generally forfeited at separation, so pull your Microsoft stock-award vesting schedule and compare what vests before versus after your termination date. [1]

LinkedIn vs. Microsoft as your employer

Confirm which legal entity employs you — LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft. It determines which severance policy, benefits plan and HR contacts apply. LinkedIn runs its own reductions with its own terms even though Microsoft is the parent, so don't assume the parent's policies automatically apply to you. [1]

Global Business Organization (sales) commissions

LinkedIn's sales organization (the Global Business Organization) was among the areas affected. If you're in sales, confirm in writing how earned-but-unpaid commissions are handled and whether in-flight deals get quota credit — commission treatment is a common pain point at separation. [1]

Health insurance, benefits and final pay

•Confirm your exact coverage end date under LinkedIn's plan and COBRA; compare COBRA vs. Marketplace.
•Losing coverage generally opens an ACA Special Enrollment Period — verify the deadline.
•Map your Microsoft (MSFT) stock-award vesting; plan your 401(k) rollover.
•Check HSA/FSA balances, ESPP and dependent-coverage dates before access ends.

Final pay, unused PTO, bonus and commission treatment depend on your work state, company policy, legal employer, separation agreement and pay classification — there is no single nationwide rule (for example, some states treat accrued PTO as earned wages, others leave it to policy). Verify with these tools:

Final Paycheck Calculator COBRA vs Marketplace Unemployment hub Severance & tax

H-1B and employment-visa considerations

Historical sponsorship: Yes — LinkedIn Corporation

Federal H-1B petition and labor-condition-application data shows LinkedIn Corporation among U.S. H-1B sponsors, concentrated in software and product roles. That does not guarantee sponsorship for every role going forward. If you're on an H-1B and were affected, your official termination date starts a time-sensitive clock — confirm your exact date and options with immigration counsel quickly, and clarify whether LinkedIn or Microsoft is your petitioning employer. [4]

•Your official termination date — not the end of severance pay — generally starts the clock. Confirm last-working-day vs. payroll-end.
•A grace period (commonly described as up to 60 days) may allow transfer, change of status, or departure — confirm your specifics with counsel.
•Ask about internal transfer and subsidiary transfer options, employment-verification letters, and any I-140/green-card process impact.

H-1B layoff guide 60-day countdown Questions for an immigration attorney

This is general information, not case-specific legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your situation.

Alumni and former-employee networks

LinkedIn — being a professional network itself — is a natural place to find its own alumni. Use the shared alumni directory and search LinkedIn for former-employee groups; many LinkedIn alumni move across the broader Microsoft ecosystem, so those connections are valuable too.

LinkedIn alumni network

Former LinkedIn employees and alumni groups.

Type: Alumni network, LinkedIn group · verified via public LinkedIn people search

Open

Full Alumni & ERG Network directory

Questions to ask LinkedIn HR

1. Which legal entity employs me — LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft — and which severance/benefits plan applies?
Why it matters: This drives everything else.
2. What is my official termination date?
3. How is my severance calculated, and is it a lump sum or salary continuation?
4. What happens to my unvested Microsoft (MSFT) stock awards, and which vests are covered?
5. (Sales/GBO) How are earned-but-unpaid commissions handled, and do in-flight deals get quota credit?
6. When exactly does my health coverage end under LinkedIn's plan, and how does COBRA work?
7. Is outplacement included, and for how long?
8. Does the release cover LinkedIn and Microsoft affiliates, and what is my review/revocation window?
9. If I'm on a work visa, who is my petitioning employer (LinkedIn or Microsoft), and who provides immigration documentation?
10. How will LinkedIn code my separation for unemployment purposes?

Get the important answers in writing where you can.

Employee action plan

First 24 hours

→Do firstConfirm whether LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft is your legal employer — it changes which plans apply.
→Do firstSave permitted personal documents — offer letter, Microsoft stock-award grants/vesting, pay stubs, benefits summaries — before access ends.
→Do firstIf on an H-1B or other visa, start your grace-period review and confirm your petitioning employer today.
→Do not sign the separation agreement immediately — note your review/revocation window.

First 7 days

→Map your Microsoft (MSFT) stock-award vests against your termination date.
→Confirm your coverage end date; compare COBRA vs. Marketplace and plan your 401(k) rollover.
→(Sales) Reconcile commissions and flag earned-but-unpaid amounts in writing.
→Search California's official WARN listing; reconnect with LinkedIn and Microsoft-ecosystem alumni.

First 30 days

→File for unemployment in your work state; confirm how severance timing affects benefits.
→Decide health coverage before deadlines; roll over your 401(k).
→Do firstIf on a visa, finalize transfer/change-of-status with counsel inside your grace period.
→Build a written runway plan using the severance and runway calculators.

Related LayoffNext tools

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LinkedIn layoffs — frequently asked questions

Is LinkedIn laying off employees in 2026?+

Yes. On May 13, 2026 LinkedIn announced it would cut about 5% of its global workforce — roughly 875 jobs (reported as up to about 1,000) — across engineering, product, marketing and its Global Business Organization, with a notable Bay Area impact. LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, said the reduction reflects a reorganization toward growth areas rather than AI. [1],[2]

Is LinkedIn a Microsoft layoff?+

LinkedIn is a subsidiary of Microsoft, so Microsoft-wide efficiency drives can affect it — and Microsoft ran its own large 2025–2026 reductions. But LinkedIn also runs its own layoffs with its own terms. The practical consequences are that your equity is Microsoft (MSFT) stock and your severance/benefits follow LinkedIn's plans, so confirm which entity employs you. See the Microsoft guide for parent-company context. [1]

What happens to my stock if LinkedIn lays me off?+

Because LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, LinkedIn employees are typically granted Microsoft (MSFT) stock awards. Unvested MSFT awards are generally forfeited at separation, so pull your Microsoft stock-award vesting schedule and compare what vests before versus after your termination date. This equity is separate from any cash severance. [1]

What severance does LinkedIn offer?+

LinkedIn has provided severance for its layoff rounds but hasn't published a per-year formula, and — although it's a Microsoft subsidiary — its terms follow LinkedIn's own plans, which may differ from Microsoft Corporation's reported severance. Amounts vary by role, level, tenure and location. Ask HR for your specific LinkedIn terms in writing rather than assuming the parent's policies apply. [1]

Did LinkedIn file WARN notices?+

WARN obligations depend on the worksite, size, timing and state law. LinkedIn is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, and its 2026 cut notably hit Bay Area workers, so California's EDD WARN listing is the place to check for U.S. filings. Search the official database for your worksite state and use the LayoffNext WARN Tracker as a starting point. [5]

Does LinkedIn sponsor H-1B workers?+

Yes, historically. Federal H-1B and labor-condition-application data shows LinkedIn Corporation among U.S. sponsors, concentrated in software and product roles. If you're on an H-1B and were affected, act quickly on your grace-period options, confirm whether LinkedIn or Microsoft is your petitioning employer, and verify your dates with immigration counsel. [4]

Sources and methodology

Every material figure on this page references a numbered source below. We prioritize company and SEC filings, official government and WARN data, and federal immigration data, followed by reputable reporting; anonymous posts are not used as a sole source for any material claim. Confidence labels describe source strength, not certainty for your situation: supported by company, sec, government, or multiple strong sources. (High); credible reporting exists but important details remain incomplete. (Medium); public evidence is incomplete or primarily secondary. (Limited).

[1] Exclusive: LinkedIn planning to lay off ~5% of staff (about 875 jobs) in latest tech-sector cuts Reputable reporting
Reuters (via U.S. News / Yahoo) · May 13, 2026 · Accessed July 24, 2026 · secondary
Supports: may-2026-5pct-875, eng-product-marketing-gbo, 17500-employees
[2] LinkedIn layoffs to impact hundreds of Bay Area workers Reputable reporting
KRON4 · May 13, 2026 · Accessed July 24, 2026 · secondary
Supports: bay-area-impact
[3] LinkedIn cuts hundreds of jobs (668) and closes its Chinese app (InCareer) for good Reputable reporting
TechRadar · October 16, 2023 · Accessed July 24, 2026 · secondary
Supports: oct-2023-668, incareer-closure
[4] USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub — LinkedIn Corporation Federal immigration data
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · Accessed July 24, 2026 · primary
Supports: h1b-historical-sponsorship
[5] California WARN notices (LinkedIn's Sunnyvale / Bay Area sites appear in EDD filings) Government / WARN
California Employment Development Department (EDD) · Accessed July 24, 2026 · primary
Supports: warn-verification

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Methodology & standards

How we research · Editorial standards

Important disclaimer

This guide is an educational summary of publicly available information about LinkedIn and is not legal, financial, tax, immigration, benefits or employment advice. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by LinkedIn. Severance, benefits, equity, WARN coverage and legal rights vary by role, level, location, tenure, legal employer, agreement and applicable law, and companies change terms between rounds. Verify your specifics with HR, official notices, state agencies and qualified professionals. See our full disclaimer.

Deepak MiddhaFounder of LayoffNext

Deepak Middha is the founder of LayoffNext and a Chartered Accountant (ICAI, India). A U.S. immigrant with nearly 20 years of experience — and 17 years in hedge fund and private equity administration, including as Vice President of Fund Accounting at NAV Fund Administration Group and Associate Director of Private Equity and Real Estate at SS&C Technologies — he builds free, plain-language layoff tools and guides for employees, H-1B workers, and immigrant families.

Updated July 24, 2026

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