The race to build artificial intelligence is changing how some of the world's biggest technology companies manage their workforces.
After Microsoft announced a voluntary exit offer for around 60,000 eligible employees, Google has also expanded its employee buyout programme across several countries.
What is driving these decisions? Are tech giants looking to cut costs or redirect resources towards AI? And what does this shift mean for employees in the technology industry?
From Canada To Japan, Where Is Google Offering Buyouts?
Google expanded its voluntary exit programme in June 2026 to select employees in five countries: Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland.
The move follows similar offers made to employees in certain divisions in the US and UK since 2025. A Google spokesperson told Reuters that the company introduced these programmes with severance packages in 2025 and expanded them to more countries to support its future priorities.
The number of employees accepting the latest offers remains unknown. The programme does not cover Google's entire workforce. Previous offers excluded Google Cloud and DeepMind employees, and the latest expansion is understood to follow a similar approach.
What's In The Exit Package?
Google employs around 5,000 people in Switzerland, including at its engineering hub in Zurich. According to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, the company announced its buyout packages in mid-June, giving employees until mid-July to respond. Those who accepted began leaving in August.
The severance offer included one month's salary for every year of service, capped at 12 months. At least four employees from a team of around 50 reportedly accepted it.
These terms apply to Switzerland. Google has not disclosed the packages offered in the other four countries or the total number of employees who accepted.
Why Are Tech Companies Offering Employees A Way Out?
Google's move comes as tech companies face rising costs from investments in AI infrastructure, data centres and computing capacity. At the same time, they are reviewing existing teams and redirecting resources towards priority areas.
Alphabet CFO Anat Ashkenazi has identified AI and cloud computing as key hiring priorities. This also explains why Google Cloud and DeepMind employees were excluded from previous buyout programmes.
The move comes amid investor concerns over heavy AI spending, which has put pressure on Alphabet's stock price. Rather than cutting investment across the board, the company appears to be shifting resources towards areas it sees as important for future growth.
Not Quite Layoffs, But What Does This Mean For Employees?
Unlike conventional layoffs, voluntary buyouts let eligible employees choose to leave in exchange for financial support. Google has described these programmes as an option for employees who no longer feel aligned with the company's pace or direction.
While they help companies reorganise teams without immediate compulsory cuts, they do not rule out future layoffs. Reuters reported that Google followed voluntary exit offers in at least one division with a round of layoffs.
Microsoft's October offer follows a similar approach, covering eligible employees at Level 70 and below in participating teams across India, the US, UK and Canada. It includes financial support and career planning resources and is time-limited.
Unlike Google's latest expansion to five countries, Microsoft's offer includes India.
The Bigger Question: Who Benefits From The AI Shift?
As tech companies pour more money into AI, some roles may become less central, while demand for specialised AI and cloud skills grows.
For employees, voluntary buyouts offer financial support and a choice to move on, but they also show how quickly priorities can change, even at the biggest technology companies.
The larger challenge is balancing the AI push with the workforce that helped build these businesses.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
Which countries are included in Google's latest voluntary buyout programme?
Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland.
When did Google expand the programme?
Google expanded the programme in June 2026. The development was reported by Reuters on 4 November 2026.
How much severance are Google employees being offered?
In Switzerland, employees who accepted the offer received one month's salary for every year of service, capped at 12 months. Terms for other countries have not been disclosed.
Are Google Cloud and DeepMind employees eligible?
Employees in these divisions were excluded from previous buyout offers. The latest expansion appears to follow the same approach.
Why is Google offering voluntary buyouts?
Alphabet is looking to manage rising costs and redirect resources towards priority areas, particularly AI and cloud computing.
Is Microsoft also offering voluntary buyouts?
Yes. Microsoft announced a voluntary exit offer for eligible employees in participating teams across India, the US, the UK and Canada. Around 60,000 employees are reportedly eligible.
Are voluntary buyouts the same as layoffs?
No. Employees can choose whether to accept voluntary exit offers in exchange for financial support. Layoffs involve employers terminating jobs.
