Exclusive-Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries

Google has broadened its voluntary employee buyout program to include staff in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland, according to a Reuters report. This move follows the company's earlier voluntary exit programs in the US and UK since last year. However, the specifics of how many employees have taken up the latest offers remain undisclosed.

A Google spokesperson stated that in 2025, certain teams initiated a voluntary exit program with severance benefits, which was then expanded globally in June. This initiative comes as Alphabet grapples with escalating AI spending that has impacted its stock price negatively. Meanwhile, Microsoft offered voluntary buyouts to 60,000 employees to manage costs last week.

Google's workforce has expanded in recent quarters, but the company aims to redirect resources towards strategic priorities. The latest buyouts mirror previous voluntary exit programs and are offered to employees who no longer align with Google's pace or direction. Exclusions include Google Cloud and AI unit DeepMind employees. The program offers one month's salary for each year of service, up to 12 months, for those who accept.