Google is offering employee buyouts in Search and other orgs

Google is offering voluntary buyouts to US-based employees in its Search organization, as well as other divisions like marketing, research, and core engineering.
The buyout program, which Google refers to as a “voluntary exit program,” offers a minimum of 14 weeks’ pay with a July 1st enrollment deadline.
Employees in some orgs are being required to return to work at least three days a week by September, or face the possibility of being laid off with severance.
The buyout offer does not currently apply to employees in DeepMind, Google Cloud, YouTube, or Google’s central ad sales organization.
Google has enacted layoffs in the past and may do so again, although it is unclear if more layoffs will follow this week’s buyout announcement.

Google is starting to offer buyouts to US-based employees in its sprawling Search organization, along with other divisions like marketing, research, and core engineering, according to multiple employees familiar with the matter.

The buyouts, which Google is referring to as a “voluntary exit program,” are currently not being offered to employees in DeepMind, Google Cloud, YouTube, or Google’s central ad sales organization. Employees in Google’s platforms and services group, which includes Android and the Pixel line of devices, were offered buyouts earlier this year before the company enacted layoffs. It’s unclear if more layoffs will follow this week’s buyout announcement. Employees in some orgs are being offered a minimum of 14 weeks’ pay with a July 1st enrollment deadline.

Other parts of Google, including YouTube, are also requiring US employees within a 50-mile radius of an office to return to work at least three days a week by September, or be laid off with severance.

In an internal memo I obtained, Nick Fox, the head of Google’s wider “Knowledge and Information” group that includes Search, called the buyout program a “supportive exit path for those of you who don’t feel a …

Read the full story at The Verge.

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Q. What is Google offering to its US-based employees?

A. Employee buyouts, referred to as a “voluntary exit program”, in various divisions like Search, marketing, research, and core engineering.

Q. Which Google divisions are not currently offering employee buyouts?

A. DeepMind, Google Cloud, YouTube, and Google’s central ad sales organization.

Q. What was offered to employees in Google’s platforms and services group earlier this year?

A. Employee buyouts, which were enacted after the company laid off some employees.

Q. How much pay are employees being offered as part of the buyout program?

A. A minimum of 14 weeks’ pay.

Q. When is the enrollment deadline for the buyout program?

A. July 1st.

Q. Are there any restrictions on where Google employees can work from?

A. Yes, US employees within a 50-mile radius of an office are required to return to work at least three days a week by September or face layoff with severance.

Q. Who is behind the buyout program in Google’s wider “Knowledge and Information” group?

A. Nick Fox, the head of the group.

Q. What is the purpose of the buyout program according to Nick Fox?

A. A “supportive exit path for those who don’t feel a connection to the company”.

Q. Are there any other restrictions on Google employees besides returning to work or facing layoff?

A. No, but some divisions have specific requirements.

Q. Why are some Google divisions requiring employees to return to work in-person?

A. To maintain office operations and avoid further layoffs.