[US] Google offers employee buyouts in latest workforce reduction

Google has offered to buy out US staff across several of its divisions from their employment contracts, HR Grapevine reports.

Sources speaking to CNBC revealed that the invitation for employees to voluntarily leave the tech giant extends to engineering teams, marketing, research and communications.

The new round of buyouts has reportedly been made to reduce headcount without immediately resorting to layoffs. Buyouts have been implemented by Google in several stages, starting in 2023 when 12,000 job cuts were made.

The number of employees offered the buyout, which Google described as a “voluntary exit program”, has yet to be disclosed; however, CNBC reporting suggests that it currently applies solely to US staff.

Courtenay Mencini - a Google spokesperson - reportedly told CNBC, “Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for U.S.-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead.”

In a memo to staff this week, Google executive Nick Fox wrote, “I want to be very clear: If you’re excited about your work, energized by the opportunity ahead, and performing well, I really (really!) hope you don’t take this! We have ambitious plans and tons to get done.

“On the other hand, this VEP offers a supportive exit path for those of you who don’t feel aligned with our strategy, don’t feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role.”

In addition, employees located within a 50-mile radius of a Google office are also being told to return to the office on a hybrid routine, CNBC said.

Source: HR Grapevine

(Quotes via original reporting)

Google has offered to buy out US staff across several of its divisions from their employment contracts, HR Grapevine reports.

Sources speaking to CNBC revealed that the invitation for employees to voluntarily leave the tech giant extends to engineering teams, marketing, research and communications.

The new round of buyouts has reportedly been made to reduce headcount without immediately resorting to layoffs. Buyouts have been implemented by Google in several stages, starting in 2023 when 12,000 job cuts were made.

The number of employees offered the buyout, which Google described as a “voluntary exit program”, has yet to be disclosed; however, CNBC reporting suggests that it currently applies solely to US staff.

Courtenay Mencini - a Google spokesperson - reportedly told CNBC, “Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for U.S.-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead.”

In a memo to staff this week, Google executive Nick Fox wrote, “I want to be very clear: If you’re excited about your work, energized by the opportunity ahead, and performing well, I really (really!) hope you don’t take this! We have ambitious plans and tons to get done.

“On the other hand, this VEP offers a supportive exit path for those of you who don’t feel aligned with our strategy, don’t feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role.”

In addition, employees located within a 50-mile radius of a Google office are also being told to return to the office on a hybrid routine, CNBC said.

Source: HR Grapevine

(Quotes via original reporting)