Google has begun offering select employees the option to leave the company through a voluntary exit programme, as the tech industry continues to grapple with job cuts and restructuring.
According to an internal communication sent on Tuesday, the company has extended voluntary exit packages (VEP) to certain teams within its Global Business Organisation (GBO). Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler informed staff that employees in specific functions could choose to depart with severance benefits.
According to information, in his message, Schindler stressed that artificial intelligence is expected to shape the company’s future direction and said the business unit must fully embrace AI to remain competitive. He added that while Google had performed well in 2025, the organisation was now pushing for a faster and more demanding pace in 2026.
“We’re entering the year from a position of strength… but the environment is moving quickly and expectations are high,” Schindler wrote, as quoted in media reports.
The buyout option has reportedly been made available to employees working in solutions teams, sales, corporate development and other internal roles. However, staff in customer-facing positions, including customer sales teams, have not been included in the programme.
Schindler explained that these exclusions were intended to prevent disruption to clients and ensure continuity in customer support.
The company has not yet revealed how much severance is being offered under the current package. However, media reports from last year suggested Google had previously provided buyouts that included at least 14 weeks of pay, with additional compensation based on years of service.
Voluntary Exit As An Alternative To Layoffs
Such buyout programmes are often used by large corporations as a softer alternative to direct layoffs. They allow companies to reduce headcount while limiting reputational fallout, lowering legal risk and avoiding certain regulatory requirements linked to mass terminations in the United States.
Google has introduced similar voluntary exit initiatives in recent months. In June last year, employees in the Knowledge and Information unit and central engineering teams were given the option to leave as part of workforce streamlining efforts. Later, in October, YouTube staff were also offered buyouts during an internal reorganisation.
Also Read: Oracle Considers 30,000 Layoffs As OpenAI Investment Strains Finances https://www.vibesofindia.com/oracle-considers-30000-layoffs-as-openai-investment-strains-finances/
