Google Expands Voluntary Buyout Programme to More Countries

Google Expands Voluntary Buyout Programme to More Countries

Amid widespread tech layoffs, Google has reportedly extended its voluntary exit programme to additional countries. No confirmed numbers exist for how many employees accepted the offers. However, reports indicate that Google expanded the buyouts in June. This news arrives shortly after Microsoft offered voluntary exits to about 60,000 employees mainly in the US, UK, India and Canada. More recently, Canva reduced its workforce by 22 percent, affecting 1,271 employees across several countries.

Google Approaches Employees in Five Countries

According to a Reuters report, Google expanded its employee buyout offers this year. The company approached staff in Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland in June. It asked them to voluntarily join the exit programme. The source could not determine how many employees opted in. The voluntary exit programme dates back to 2025. Some teams received buyout offers with severance packages. Earlier this year in February, Google offered similar packages to US-based employees in its Global Business Organisation division. This division covered solutions, sales and corporate development roles.

AI Focus Continues Alongside Buyouts

Google maintains a strong focus on artificial intelligence. Therefore, the company continues to hire resources in cloud computing and AI. The buyout programme covered many divisions. However, it excluded DeepMind AI. The company has shielded this division from the current year’s layoffs. At Google’s major engineering hub in Zurich, Switzerland, at least four members from a team of 50 accepted the buyout offer, according to people familiar with the programme. In another instance, voluntary buyout offers in a particular division were followed by layoffs. The latest round occurs amid focused hiring for cloud and AI, plus increased spending on AI. Back in 2023, Google laid off 12,000 jobs, which represented approximately 6 percent of its workforce at the time.

Industry Context

Microsoft announced voluntary exit offers for employees across the globe last month. A previous report indicated that about 60,000 employees from the software giant received these offers. Microsoft stated that the offers reflect how the company is evolving its approach to change. It aims to provide flexibility and more ways for employees to shape their next chapter. Consequently, major technology firms continue to adjust workforces while investing heavily in artificial intelligence.