Google offered voluntary exit packages to select employees in its Global Business Organization this week, marking the company's third such buyout program in eight months. The move targets staff who aren't "all in" on the company's AI-focused strategy.
Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler informed eligible teams via internal email on February 10, 2026, according to a memo reviewed by Business Insider. The program applies to U.S.-based employees in solutions teams, sales support, and corporate development roles. Large customer-facing sales teams were excluded to avoid client disruption.
Eligible employees can receive 14 weeks of base pay plus one additional week for every year of service. Applications will be processed by late March 2026.
The announcement follows Alphabet's record $402.8 billion revenue for 2025. Despite strong financial performance, Schindler emphasized the competitive environment requires full commitment to AI transformation.
"The game is dynamic, the pace is electric, and the stakes are high," he wrote in the memo.
This is Google's third voluntary exit program since June 2025. The company offered similar packages to knowledge and information teams, central engineering, marketing, research and communications staff last year, as detailed in WinBuzzer's report. YouTube also provided buyouts to U.S.-based employees during its October 2025 AI-focused reorganization.
Google's approach creates a controlled workforce transformation rather than forced layoffs. The strategy allows employees who prefer remote work or feel misaligned with AI priorities to exit with severance.
However, research from University of Pittsburgh professor Mark Ma suggests such programs risk losing top performers who have strong external job prospects.
The Global Business Organization serves as Google's primary revenue engine, managing advertising products and partnerships. The unit faces pressure to adopt AI tools across sales forecasting, campaign optimization, and customer service workflows. Schindler's emphasis on employees being "all in" reflects the shift toward automated processes requiring fewer human touchpoints.
Google continues hiring in key areas and expects to backfill many departed roles. The company plans to spend between $175 billion and $185 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, according to its capital expenditure guidance, amid potential AI chip tariff exemptions for major tech companies.
