• Cnet, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 11:15 AM

Microsoft on Tuesday eliminated 3,000 jobs as part of the promise it made in January to cut up to 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months. The January wave of cuts affected 1,400 workers. Although still 600 shy of the 5,000 total, Cnet's Ina Fried says that any additional job actions would have to come in a new round of cuts.

In a memo to the troops, CEO Steve Ballmer indicated that further cuts were a possibility. "As we move forward, we will continue to closely monitor the impact of the economic downturn on the company and if necessary, take further actions on our cost structure including additional job eliminations," Ballmer said.

According to Fried, the Tuesday cuts were roughly evenly split between U.S. and international workers and were across the company. Microsoft still plans to hire 2,000 to 3,000 workers this year in growing areas, including online services.

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