Google offers voluntary exits to platforms and devices team

Google’s Platforms and Devices division, encompassing Android, Pixel hardware, and other projects, has offered a voluntary exit program to its US employees. This move, announced by SVP Rick Osterloh, comes amidst concerns about potential layoffs within the company.

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While Google has not conducted widespread layoffs in 2025, employees remain apprehensive, particularly following the company’s significant investments in AI. This apprehension is further fuelled by Alphabet’s CFO, Anat Ashkenazi, who emphasized the need for continued cost efficiency.

The voluntary exit program, offering severance packages to employees who choose to leave, is a common precursor to potential layoffs. By encouraging voluntary departures, companies can reduce the need for involuntary terminations.

This move follows the merger of Google’s Android and hardware teams last year, a decision aimed at accelerating AI integration across its product portfolio. While Google’s Pixel phone sales have been increasing, they still lag behind competitors like Apple and Samsung.

Concerns about potential layoffs have prompted some Google employees to circulate a petition urging CEO Sundar Pichai to prioritize voluntary buyouts before resorting to involuntary terminations. The petition highlights the impact of previous layoffs on employee morale and emphasizes the company’s strong financial position.

Currently, the voluntary exit program is limited to the Platforms and Devices division and has not been extended to other areas of Google, such as search or the DeepMind AI team.