Google has extended severance packages to its U.S.-based hardware and platform teams, allowing employees to voluntarily resign with an undisclosed severance package. This move aligns with the Alphabet Workers Union’s recent petition for preemptive buyouts before any layoffs, suggesting that workforce reductions may be forthcoming.
Senior Vice President Rick Osterloh communicated the “voluntary exit program” to the Platforms and Devices team, which oversees products like the Pixel phone line, Android, Chrome, and Photos. There is no confirmation whether other teams will be eligible for this initiative.
While specific severance details remain undisclosed, previous layoffs in January 2023 provided affected employees with at least 16 weeks of salary and six months of healthcare benefits. Google positions the current buyouts as a strategy to retain dedicated staff, stating: “There’s tremendous momentum on this team and with so much important work ahead, we want everyone to be deeply committed to our mission and focused on building great products, with speed and efficiency.”
The tech industry continues to experience fluctuations in employment, with ongoing layoffs influenced by AI-driven corporate strategies. The Alphabet Workers Union emphasizes the need for Google to formalize fair severance and voluntary buyout practices in its policies.