Google Offers Voluntary Exit Program Amid Ongoing Layoffs
Why is Google offering Voluntary Exit Program?
Google is offering employees on its Platforms and Devices team a chance to leave through a voluntary exit program. This affects employees working on Android, Pixel, and several other Google products, including Chrome, ChromeOS, Photos, Fitbit, and Nest. Even teams working on Google One, Auto, TV, Wear OS, and XR (Google’s mixed-reality division) are included in this initiative.
Why is Google Offering This Exit Program?
This move comes after internal pressure from employees urging Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, to offer severance options before making deeper cuts. While no official layoffs have been announced for these teams yet, this voluntary exit appears to be a strategic step to streamline operations before making further workforce reductions.
In a statement, Google emphasized that the company’s focus remains on efficiency and innovation:
“There’s tremendous momentum on this team and with so much important work ahead, we want everyone to be deeply committed to our mission and focused on building great products, with speed and efficiency.”
Is This a Sign of More Layoffs to Come?
Google has been undergoing significant restructuring over the past year. In 2024, the company laid off hundreds of employees as part of a shift to a “functional organizational model.” Under this structure, the hardware team is now managed by a single leader instead of multiple heads overseeing different divisions.
These changes followed widespread job cuts across other departments, including sustainability, cloud services, and YouTube. Given Google’s history of shutting down projects—tracked on the website “Killed by Google,” which lists nearly 300 discontinued initiatives—some employees worry about the long-term stability of Android and Pixel development.
What Does This Mean for Google’s Future?
While Google has not officially confirmed further layoffs, the company’s restructuring efforts indicate a focus on efficiency and cost-cutting. The voluntary exit program could be a way to trim the workforce without resorting to immediate layoffs. However, given past trends, employees in these divisions may remain uncertain about the future of their roles within the company.
What Should Google Employees Know About Severance?
If you’re a Google employee in Canada impacted by the company’s ongoing restructuring, it’s crucial to understand your severance rights. Severance pay is influenced by factors such as your position, length of service, and age. In many cases, non-unionized employees may be entitled to severance packages extending up to 24 months’ pay.
At Whitten & Lublin, our employment lawyers specialize in helping employees navigate their severance entitlements. We’re committed to ensuring you receive fair and just compensation during this transition. If you’ve been affected by Google’s workforce reductions, contact us for a consultation online or by calling (416) 640-2667 .