Google’s parent company, Alphabet, released a memo from the CEO on Friday informing employees of job cuts in the thousands.
As the latest tech company to experience massive downsizing, Google has been hit with huge layoffs numbering nearly 12,000 employees, which equates to about 6% of the entire workforce on Friday. It comes as a surprise as the #8 listing on the latest Fortune 500 list. It’s worth mentioning that Microsoft sits at #14 and was also hit with huge layoffs. The CEO, Sundar Pichai, sent out the news in a memo on Friday to inform employees of the decision while also accepting blame for the job cuts.
Google and Microsoft aren’t the only companies experiencing massive layoffs this week either, with Amazon also carrying layoffs in the thousands this week on Wednesday. In the memo to employees, CEO Sundar Pichai says, “The fact that these changes will impact the lives of Googlers weighs heavily on me, and I take full responsibility for the decisions that led us here,” accepting blame for the layoffs himself. But he didn’t stop there.
I have some difficult news to share. We’ve decided to reduce our workforce by approximately 12,000 roles. We’ve already sent a separate email to employees in the US who are affected. In other countries, this process will take longer due to local laws and practices.
This will mean saying goodbye to some incredibly talented people we worked hard to hire and have loved working with. I’m deeply sorry for that. The fact that these changes will impact the lives of Googlers weighs heavily on me, and I take full responsibility for the decisions that led us here.
– Sundar Pichai, Google Memo from CNBC
While the next steps are uncertain for those affected, Google has promised to pay employees that have been tagged with the layoffs for the full notification period of 60 days while also including the following in the same memo:
- A severance package will also be provided to employees starting at 16 weeks’ salary plus two weeks for every additional year at Google,
- We’ll pay 2022 bonuses and the remaining vacation time.
- We’ll be offering 6 months of healthcare, job placement services, and immigration support for those affected.
- Outside the US, we’ll support employees in line with local practices.
As the third tech company to announce massive layoffs this week, consumers can just stay informed of the layoff news as it happens.
