Google has expanded its voluntary employee buyout programme to five countries, offering severance packages as the technology giant looks to manage rising costs while increasing investments in artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, Google began offering voluntary exit packages in June to employees in Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland.
The move comes as major technology companies reassess workforce costs amid growing AI investments, with Microsoft recently offering voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 employees.
Google expands voluntary exit programme
The latest offers follow voluntary exit programmes introduced by Google in selected divisions in the US and the UK since 2025.
A Google spokesperson told Reuters, "This past summer, in June, we expanded this program globally in a few countries to support our important work ahead."
The company has not disclosed how many employees have accepted the latest offers.
The programme allows eligible employees to leave with severance packages as Google realigns its workforce with changing business priorities.
AI and cloud teams remain hiring priorities
Despite offering voluntary exits, Google continues to prioritise recruitment in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which remain central to its long-term business strategy.
Alphabet Chief Financial Officer Anat Ashkenazi has identified both areas as key destinations for future hiring and resource allocation.
Employees in Google Cloud and DeepMind, Alphabet's AI research unit, were excluded from previous buyout offers.
The latest expansion appears to follow a similar approach, although Google has not disclosed the complete list of divisions covered across all five countries.
Reuters also reported that, in at least one instance, Google followed voluntary exit offers to a division with subsequent layoffs.
Big Tech reassesses workforce spending
Google's expanded buyout programme comes amid a wider shift in workforce strategies across the technology sector.
Microsoft recently offered voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees as part of its efforts to manage costs.
Both companies are balancing workforce expenses with significant investments in AI infrastructure, development and capabilities.
The developments highlight how technology companies are reshaping their workforce priorities, with voluntary exits emerging as one way to manage organisational changes while directing resources towards strategic business areas.