Microsoft laid off hundreds of contractors at a time of layoffs.

According to news in the morning of August 11, Beijing time, Microsoft will fire hundreds of signed recruiters and talent recruiters because the recruitment work of the whole company is still frozen, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Like many other tech giants, Microsoft relies on contractors to strengthen everything from cleaning services to hiring. These contractors are likely to work closely with Microsoft's own employees. But strictly speaking, they are not employees and do not enjoy some of the company's allowances or benefits.

Earlier this week, the company informed the workers through their agents that their contracts would end on Friday. It is reported that contractors will not receive severance payment, but the intermediary that employs them will pay for any unused paid leave.

Microsoft recently said it would cut fewer than 1800 jobs company-wide and significantly slow the pace of hiring. A contractor responsible for recruitment told the media a month ago that Microsoft had suspended recruitment of half of the positions it was responsible for and halted recruitment of the remaining half the following week.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect future career prospects, said they were aware of three intermediaries that had cut about 200 contractors assigned to Microsoft. When layoffs began, most contractors had less than six months left on their contracts.

Another contractor told the media that their contract would expire for a long time. "I thought I would be safe for the next year and a half, but now I'm fired." The person also spoke on the condition of anonymity because of his future career prospects.

Also this week, Microsoft fired the Modern Life experience team and told employees of the Modern Life experience team to find another job at the company within 60 days or receive severance pay. The size of the team has been estimated at 200.

Microsoft could not be reached for comment, but in response to questions about layoffs this week, a Microsoft spokesman referred to a statement made by Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood on an earnings call in July: "as we spend this time, we will continue to invest in future growth while maintaining a high focus on operational excellence and discipline enforcement."