India, July 2 -- Microsoft on Wednesday said it is laying off thousands of employees, its second mass layoff in months.

The company declined to say how many people would be laid off, but said it would comprise less than 4% of the workforce it had a year ago, which would come to around 9,000 people, according to the Associated Press.

Microsoft said the cuts will affect multiple teams worldwide, including its sales division and its Xbox video game business.

"We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace," it said in a statement.

"Even in the best of times, we have regularly adjusted our workforce to meet the strategic demands of the business," the co...