According to CNBC, Google, part of Alphabet Inc., offered employees in some divisions severance pay in exchange for voluntary resignation.
The measures affect, among others, the so-called Knowledge and Information (K&I) segment, which includes specialists in internet search, advertising, and commerce. The marketing, research, and communications departments and the central development department were also affected.
The number of employees offered severance pay is unknown. K&I has a staff of about 20,000 people.
Google told the TV channel that the voluntary departure program applies to employees in the US. Some departments are also transitioning to a hybrid work model for remote employees within 50 miles (80 km) of the office.
“Earlier this year, some of our teams implemented a voluntary departure program with severance pay for Google employees in the US, and now several more are implementing it to support the important work that needs to be done,” said company spokeswoman Courtney Menchini.
In 2023, Google laid off 12,000 employees.