Google offers voluntary exit packages to staff in five more countries as AI spending rises
Teams in Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland are covered and DeepMind and Google Cloud appear excluded; Google has not said how many accepted.
Why it matters
Google introduced voluntary exit programs in some teams in 2025 and extended them in June to the five countries, a spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. In Switzerland, home to about 5,000 Google employees, the package offered one month's salary per year of service, up to 12 months. The move follows Microsoft's voluntary buyout that could cover around 60,000 staff, and shows big tech trimming parts of its workforce while protecting AI and cloud hiring. Watch how many take the offers and whether more countries are added.
Key facts
- Countries: Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland
- Offers began in June 2026, Google confirmed to Reuters
- DeepMind and Google Cloud appear excluded
- Swiss package: one month's salary per year of service, up to 12 months
- About 5,000 Google employees in Switzerland
- Microsoft's buyout could cover around 60,000 staff