It is reported that Microsoft in 18 months ago issued a new policy, regulation external contractors do after 18 months must be absent for six months. The new policy has led to a lot of contractors.

Thanks to the new policy is started 18 months ago, so for many contract workers and freelancers, they are from January 1, 2016, a period of 6 months will not be able to continue working for Microsoft.

Microsoft did not disclose the company hired contractors, but according to a 2009, according to a document leaked Microsoft was retained by the total number of contractors at least more than 70000 people. But it is unclear whether the data has changed much over the years, especially after the charge of the company, how much has changed.

Microsoft's many team has a high dependence on contractors, it is said that many teams have begun to worry about compulsory for 6 months contract workers on leave policy will affect the project. Some teams have come up with some countermeasures, they are ready to classify the type of work of the contract to "leave" in order to avoid them.

A Microsoft spokesman said: "the policy was announced in July 1, 2014 and came into effect, it requires that the contractors working for Microsoft after 18 months off for six months. We are very cherish our cooperation between company and hire contract with suppliers, we work closely with the supplier company, help the policy changes in the corresponding plan for the company."

According to GeekWire, Microsoft's a contract workers think that this is a "stupid", because it will damage the working process.

According to Microsoft, the purpose of this policy is based on the speed of not less than 20% a year to reduce reliance on temporary staff.