Google Axes 12,000, Marking the Largest Layoff in Company History
Google, a company long known for its commitment to retaining its workforce, announced it would cut 12,000 jobs, the largest layoff in its 25 year history. Though it managed to stave off layoffs longer than most of its big tech peers, the company finally succumbed to the tightening mark pressure in early January. The cuts represent around 6% of Google’s total workforce.
In an email to staff, CEO Sundar Pichai said the layoffs were partly a response to over-eager hiring in recent years. Google reportedly increased its headcount by 24% from 2021 to 2022 to match its dramatic growth. That growth slowed down last year though, leading the company to undergo a “rigorous review” to ensure the company’s workforce was aligned with its high-level priorities. Pichai made a point to emphasize the company’s commitment to AI, likely in response to flurry of media reports and internal conversationsat the company concerning OpenAI’s potential threat to Google search.
It’s a trying time at Google. The layoffs arrived just weeks before the Department Of Justice issued its second antitrust lawsuit against the company, their time over its monopoly on the ad tech space. Between restructuring, regulators, and relentless competition, Google faces one of the toughest moments in its history.
