Google, owned by Alphabet Inc., has initiated layoffs affecting an unspecified number of employees as part of its ongoing cost-cutting measures. A company spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that while the layoffs are not company-wide, affected employees will have the opportunity to apply for internal roles.
In a strategic move to invest in key global locations, Google is shifting a small percentage of impacted roles to hubs such as India, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dublin. This realignment reflects the company’s efforts to streamline operations and focus on its biggest product priorities.
“Throughout the second half of 2023 and into 2024, a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, remove layers, and align their resources to their biggest product priorities,” the spokesperson stated.
Reports indicate that employees in Google’s real estate and finance departments are among those affected. According to Business Insider, teams within treasury, business services, and revenue cash operations have experienced changes.
Ruth Porat, Google’s Chief Financial Officer, communicated to staff that the restructuring includes expanding growth in Bangalore, Mexico City, and Dublin. This expansion underscores Google’s commitment to leveraging global talent pools and enhancing its presence in key international markets.
Earlier in the year, Google laid off hundreds of workers across engineering, hardware, and assistant teams as it intensified investments in artificial intelligence. CEO Sundar Pichai had cautioned employees to anticipate more job cuts amid efforts to manage economic uncertainties.
The layoffs at Google mirror a broader trend in the tech and media industries, where companies are grappling with economic challenges and seeking to optimize resources.
Reference(s):
Cost-cutting Google lays off employees, shifts some roles abroad
cgtn.com
