Microsoft's headcount grew during the month of January -- that is before layoffs were factored in. The company employed 95,943 employees worldwide in January, meaning it added a net total of 115 workers when compared to December, according to figures released today.

We debated whether these numbers were even worth reporting, given that the company announced layoffs of 1,400 people last month. Certainly, if those numbers were included, staffing levels fell on a month-to-month basis.

Microsoft didn't include the laid off workers in the current count because those employees who received pink slips were given 60-day notices. Given that, the interesting numbers to examine will come out in March and April.

Microsoft has said it plans to keep hiring in certain areas despite the troubles in the economy. On January 22, the company said it planned to cut a total of 5,000 staffers over the next 18 months.

In the Puget Sound region, Microsoft employed 41,555 in January, a slight increase over the 41,480 in December. Once again, those numbers do not include layoffs, with a WARN notice filed with the state indicating that 872 people are set to lose jobs locally.