Quick overview

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Google(GOOG) extended buyout offers to employees across several divisions, including central engineering, marketing, research, and communications.

Google’s search, advertising, and commerce divisions are housed in the Knowledge and Information (K&I) unit.

K&I employs about 20,000 people. Nick Fox, a Google executive, assumed leadership following a reorganization of the unit in October.

Fox issued a memo on Tuesday stating that those pleased with their jobs and performing well should stay with the company, while those not living up to expectations might want to take the buyout.

This initiative is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to reduce its workforce, which has been implemented in phases following the layoffs of 12,000 employees in 2023. Reports also indicated that the company offered buyouts to employees in its search and ads units.

The “voluntary exit program” is available for Google employees based in the United States, with certain groups requiring remote employees living within a 50-mile radius of an office to report in person. They must adopt a hybrid work schedule “to increase the number of people coming together in-person.”

“Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for U.S.-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead,” said Mencini, a Google spokesperson, in response to an email.

The buyouts come after comments made in October by finance chief Anat Ashkenazi, who stated that one of her priorities was to cut back on spending as Google increases its investment in artificial intelligence..