Google expanded its return-to-office mandate and offered voluntary buyouts for some US-based employees on Tuesday, according to an internal memo viewed by Business Insider.
Business Insider could not immediately confirm how many Google employees would be affected by the buyout offer or expanded return-to-office mandate.
Below is the full memo sent to Google employees on Tuesday by Jen Fitzpatrick, the Senior Vice President of Core Systems at Google.
In support of these goals, we’re introducing two programs today for US-based Core Googlers: We’re offering a Voluntary Exit Program (VEP) for Core Googlers in the US (in my reporting org).
We’ll follow up with VEP details for all eligible US Core Googlers, and location transfer information for US Remote Googlers meeting the criteria above shortly.
In an internal memo seen by Business Insider on Tuesday, Google offered voluntary buyouts for certain US-based employees and increased its return-to-office mandate.
The buyout offers were extended to employees of Google’s Core, Marketing, Research, Knowledge and Information (K&I), and Communications departments. Teams working on commerce, ads, and search are part of K&I.
The company’s 2022 RTO mandate, which asked certain US-based teams to report to work three days a week while maintaining “work from anywhere” weeks, is expanded by the return-to-office requirement.
Associated video.
Although there is a way to prevent layoffs, nearly 50,000 tech workers have already been let go.
All remote workers on impacted teams who reside within 50 miles of an office will now be obliged by the company to return to work on a hybrid schedule.
A Google spokesperson, Courtenay Mencini, told Business Insider in a statement that “A voluntary exit program with severance was introduced earlier this year by some of our teams for US-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead.”. “To encourage more in-person interactions, several teams are also requesting that remote workers who reside close to an office switch back to a hybrid work schedule. “.
The number of Google workers who would be impacted by the buyout offer and the extended return-to-office requirement was not immediately confirmed by Business Insider.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai declared in 2023 that the company was making widespread cuts to its product divisions and regional teams, laying off about 12,000 employees, or 6% of its global workforce.
Additional layoffs were implemented by Google in 2024, impacting its Revenue Cash Operations, Business Services, and Treasury departments.
It’s unclear if the most recent buyout offers portend more layoffs. Earlier this year, Google made buyout offers to employees in its Android and Pixel division. A few weeks later, there were layoffs in that same division.
The complete memo that Jen Fitzpatrick, Senior Vice President of Core Systems at Google, sent to Google employees on Tuesday is included below.
Hello everyone. .
We at Core have a ton of exciting and significant work ahead of us, as I indicated at The Source last month. This is especially true given how AI is changing everything, including our tools, products, way of working, and innovation. We need everyone to arrive at this pivotal moment with unmatched vigor and passion for Core’s mission, connecting and working together quickly so that we can complete all of the challenging tasks at hand.
We are launching two initiatives today for Core Googlers residing in the United States to help achieve these objectives.
In my reporting organization, we are providing Core Googlers in the US with a Voluntary Exit Program (VEP). I wanted to give eligible Core Google employees in the US the same choice if they would like to leave the company voluntarily with severance pay, as we have seen positive feedback from other organizations that have offered comparable programs. The Voluntary Exit Program might be a good option for Core Google employees who are struggling to meet the demands of their position or who aren’t feeling enthusiastic about or in line with Core’s mission and goals.
Additionally, our 3/2 hybrid work policy has given us more flexibility in how we operate than ever before. However, there is simply no substitute for meeting in person when it comes to connection, teamwork, and swiftly innovating together. We at Core think that a key factor in our success as an organization and as a business is having more Google employees working together, creating connections, and innovating as a team while fostering a culture of support.
In order to address this, we are revising our work location policy for local remote Core Googlers in the US and requesting that all Core Googlers based in the US who are remote and reside within 50 miles of an authorized return site (referred to as “local remote”) return to a return site on a 3/2 hybrid schedule.
Our goal is to guarantee that Core Googlers are totally dedicated to their roles and contributions. Through these programs, we will be able to work more quickly, efficiently, and cooperatively while also becoming even more committed to our mission. To be clear, this has nothing to do with cutting back on Core’s workforce. With this chance, we will give Core Googlers new growth prospects and internal mobility.
We will shortly provide location transfer details for US Remote Googlers who meet the aforementioned requirements, as well as VEP details for all eligible US Core Googlers.
We have a great chance to fulfill our mission to improve Google’s operations for all users at scale during a period of revolutionary innovation. Let’s continue our hard work, maintain our focus, and build on the amazing momentum that has already begun.
Jen.
