Job cuts at Google: HR and Cloud teams' employees laid off in latest restructuring

Google

The culling of employees at big tech companies is showing no signs of stopping. According to a report by CNBC, Google is laying employees in its HR department as well as in its cloud business unit. As per an internal memo from HR chief Fiona Cicconi, the company plans to implement job cuts as part of internal restructuring efforts. The report mentions that Google will introduce a voluntary exit program for full-time US-based employees in its People Operations division, set to begin in early March.

Google has initiated HR buyouts for employees in several of its departments. According to the report, Google employees on level 5 and level 4 are likely to get severance of 14 weeks of salary. These are mid-to senior-level employees and also stand to get one additional week of salary for every full year of service.

Not all affected employees in Google’s cloud unit have been asked to leave the company. As part of its restructuring exercise, some employees have ben asked to move to other countries.

“Our teams have continued to make changes to operate more efficiently, remove layers, and ensure they are set up for long term success,” Google spokesperson Brandon Asberry said in a statement. “This work is ongoing as we continue to invest in our company’s biggest priorities and the significant opportunities ahead.”

The total number of laid off employees remains unclear. However, a report by Business Insider mentions that it could be less than 200.

This isn’t the first time Google has offered voluntary buyouts to its employees. In January 2025, Google did the same with its Pixel hardware team as well as the Android division.