Microsoft, in its plan to eliminate 18,000 over the next year, announced the elimination of 2,100 jobs today.

A Microsoft spokesman said: "The reductions happening today are spread across many different business units, and many different countries. We will continue to go through this process in the most thoughtful manner possible, with the deepest respect for affected individuals and recognition of their service to the company. We will offer severance to all affected employees."

In July, Microsoft axed 13,000 jobs in the first wave of layoffs. This after Microsoft acquired the Nokia handset business in April. About 12,500 of the 18,000 total layoffs planned for this year will come from Nokia. With the acquisition of Nokia, Microsofts employees rose from 99,000 to 127,000.