Google proposes voluntary departures for the Android and Pixel team.
Google is cutting its workforce once again at the beginning of the year.
In January last year, Google conducted layoffs of hundreds of employees. Now, as the end of January 2025 approaches, the company is implementing a different approach to reduce its workforce. Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services at Google, sent a statement to members of the Platforms and Devices team, offering the option of voluntary severance.
Employees who choose to accept this severance offer will receive a compensation package, although the specific details of what will be offered have not been disclosed. Additionally, it is unknown whether Google intends to eliminate a certain number of positions this time around.
It is important to mention that this offer is not company-wide; it only applies to the new Platforms and Services division, which was formed last year by merging previously separate teams working on software like Android and Chrome, alongside those developing hardware such as Pixel phones and Nest devices. Employees involved in areas such as Google Search and the growing efforts in artificial intelligence will apparently not be affected by these changes.
While offering voluntary severance is undoubtedly a more considerate option than conducting mass layoffs, the end result is similar: Google's hardware and software team will be reduced, potentially resulting in a greater workload for the remaining staff.