Google has stepped into 2024 with a significant reshuffling of its workforce, joining other tech giants in a wave of layoffs.
Google mass layoffs: Hundreds of jobs on the line
The tech behemoth is streamlining its operations, with cuts primarily affecting its Augmented Reality (AR) team and the hardware teams responsible for Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit products.
This move has also led to the departure of Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman.
The layoffs, affecting hundreds of employees, are part of Google’s effort to become more efficient and realign resources towards its biggest product priorities.
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Google Assistant, the company’s virtual assistant, has also seen reductions in its team. These changes are seen as necessary for the company to adapt to a shifting economic landscape and focus on areas of growth and innovation.
The tech sector has been grappling with economic challenges, and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is not immune.
CEO Sundar Pichai announced the cuts in an email to staff, which was later shared in a company blog post.
Pichai cited a “different economic reality” than previously anticipated and the need to match the company’s growth strategy to current economic conditions.
The layoffs represent around 6% of Google’s global workforce.
This round of layoffs follows a similar pattern from last year when Google let go of approximately 12 000 roles or 6% of its workforce. The tech giant’s current action reflects the broader trend of job cuts across major firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, as they adjust to global economic downturns and corporate concerns about inflation after periods of rapid expansion and record profits.
Employees affected by the layoffs will receive severance packages starting at 16 weeks of salary plus additional compensation based on their tenure at Google.
The company will also provide healthcare benefits, job placement services, and immigration support for eligible employees.
Google’s history of job cuts is not extensive. The company has traditionally seen steady growth and expansion. However, the current economic climate and the need to realign resources have led to this unprecedented move.
As one of the leading tech companies, Google’s decision to reduce its workforce is indicative of the challenges facing the tech industry as a whole and marks a significant shift in its operational strategy.
With over 182,000 employees as of September 2023, these layoffs, while impactful, represent a fraction of Google’s total workforce. Nonetheless, the changes signal a strategic shift for the tech giant as it navigates a rapidly evolving industry landscape
