Google Offers Buyouts to Employees Ahead of Expected Cuts
Google is offering voluntary buyouts to employees in its “Platforms and Devices” unit, which includes over 25,000 full-time employees who work on Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Google Photos, Google One, Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. The unit is a significant part of the company, and the buyouts are a signal of expected cuts within Google as it continues to prioritize artificial intelligence.
The buyouts are open to full-time employees in the U.S. and aim to give eligible employees the ability to voluntarily leave the company with a severance package. According to internal documents reviewed by CNBC, the “voluntary exit plan” may be a good fit for employees who are struggling to meet the demands of their jobs, the unit’s hybrid work environment, or whose passions don’t align with the division’s mission and goal.
Employees have until February 20 to enroll in the exit program, and those who volunteer will find out whether they’ve been accepted on March 25. Some employees have praised Google’s decision to offer buyouts rather than immediately laying off employees, with one employee stating that “offering buyouts first is what we asked for, is the right thing to do, and Rick deserves a lot of credit for delivering.”
The Platforms and Devices unit includes a range of products and services, including Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Google Photos, Google One, Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. While the unit is not the largest moneymaker for Google, its revenue rose to $10.66 billion in the third quarter, up nearly 28% from the year prior.
The move comes as Google continues to prioritize artificial intelligence, and as new CFO Anat Ashkenazi has said that driving more cost cutting will be a top priority. The company’s focus on AI is expected to drive more spending on infrastructure in 2025, and Google has already combined its Android and Pixel divisions.
