Google is shaking up its organization again. This time, it’s offering a voluntary exit program to some US employees. The program is open to staff from various departments, including data management, advertising, engineering, marketing, communications, and research. It’s a more flexible way to reduce the workforce compared to the mass layoffs that happened in 2023.
Some employees have been advised by top executives, like Nick Fox, to consider the program if they feel they don’t align with the company’s vision or are struggling in their roles. The exit package varies depending on job level. For instance, staff from the People Operations team could get up to 14 weeks of severance pay, plus an extra week for each year of service. This has gotten a positive response from some employees and might set a precedent for other departments.
Google is also asking employees who live within 80 kilometers of the office to come back to work in person as part of its Hybrid Work policy. This emphasis on face-to-face collaboration is another measure that’s happening alongside the voluntary exit program.
So, why is Google reducing its workforce? The main reason is to cut costs and focus on investing in AI infrastructure, which is expected to increase significantly in 2025. Google is also changing its employee training approach, shifting from general courses to ones that focus on using AI tools in their work.
Although Google faced criticism for laying off over 12,000 employees in 2023, which hurt team morale and trust, this new approach seems to be winning over staff. It may show that the company has learned from its past mistakes and is trying to make this transition smoother.
What’s behind Google’s decision?
The company wants to reduce costs to invest in AI. Google is also changing how it trains employees, with a focus on AI tools.
How does this affect employees?
Some employees are being advised to consider the exit program. The package varies depending on job level. Employees near the office are being asked to come back to work in person.
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