Microsoft and unions

Microsoft recognizes 11 video game unions in the United States, representing 3,000 video game workers. Microsoft like other tech companies, has historically resisted unions and relied on temporary workers with lower pay and job security than regular employees. This shift began in 2015 and accelerated in 2022 when Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard. To expedite the approval process, Microsoft signed a labor neutrality agreement with Communications Workers of America. This agreement guarantees that Microsoft will not interfere with or oppose union organizing efforts. It applies to both of its video game subsidiaries, Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax Media. Other unionization efforts at TaxSaver Software and Lionbridge have been unsuccessful.

Microsoft employees in the United States have been vocal in their opposition to military and ICE government contracts with Microsoft. Microsoft workers also showed transnational support for Chinese tech worker protesting the 996.icu overtime culture.

Around the world, Microsoft and its subsidiaries have formed unions in Canada, Poland, Romania, South Korea and Sweden and formed works councils in Germany. Bethesda Game Studios employees unionized in Canada, and King video game developers in Sweden voted to form a "union club".

Microsoft and the Australian Council of Trade Unions signed a voluntary framework agreement, codifying worker participation regarding the design and usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace. This partnership builds on previous memorandum of understandings regarding workplace protections and right to unionize, signed between Microsoft and Australian Services Union, Professionals Australia and the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association.

Montreal studio of Bethesda Game Studios was certified on August 13, 2024, with support of Communications Workers of America Canada. This follows the recent unionization of QA testers at ZeniMax, its parent company in the United States.

Microsoft Germany has 2,700 employees and 6 offices across Germany as of 2014. Employees are represented by local works councils and a central works council since 1998.

Microsoft Romania employees formed a union in early 2024. Almost a year later, in January 2025, Microsoft Romania signed a collective agreement with SLTC (Romanian: Sindicatul Liber din Telecomunicații), a trade union affiliate of ANTIC (Romanian: Alianta Sindicatelor din Tehnologia Informatiilor si Comunicatii). The collective agreement covers 1,500 workers.

Microsoft recognizes 11 video game unions representing 3,000 video game workers. Microsoft like other tech companies, has historically resisted unions and relied on temporary workers with lower pay and job security than regular employees. Microsoft changed course in 2014 with the appointment of Brad Smith, Microsoft's new general counsel. Smith, along with the new CEO Satya Nadella, took a more conciliatory approach to regulation, including labor rights. This took shape in 2015, when Microsoft instructed all large contractors to provide paid time off.