Microsoft outage sparks worker jokes about 'snow day'

Microsoft's service outage across the Americas on Thursday, Nov. 12, disrupted email and other programs for countless workers, prompting widespread social media mockery and jokes about the downtime. Reports of Outlook issues peaked at 130,000 on DownDetector.com just after 1 p.m. ET, though the actual number affected was likely far higher. Users posted sarcastic comments on X, Bluesky, and other platforms, with some calling it "a snow day for adults" and others joking about extended breaks. The outage followed Microsoft's recent voluntary buyout offer to about 60,000 employees, which some users noted in their posts. Others humorously complained that Teams remained operational, with one user saying, "Whoever took down Outlook, you forgot to take down Teams as well."