(Image source from: REUTERS)
Reports indicate that Google is gearing up for another series of layoffs, which will specifically affect its workforce in India. These forthcoming job reductions appear to be part of a larger global restructuring initiative and are anticipated to influence teams involved in advertising, sales, and marketing, particularly those situated in Google’s offices in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Although Google has not provided an official announcement about the layoffs in India or disclosed the number of jobs that will be impacted, a Business Standard report suggests that the termination process may commence as soon as next week. This latest news regarding downsizing follows a recent reorganization within Google’s Platforms and Devices division, which has already seen hundreds of global layoffs.
This division is responsible for significant product lines, including Android, Pixel smartphones, and the Chrome browser. Google has stated that this restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency, as the company seeks to be more agile and better aligned with its changing business strategies. In India, however, reports suggest that Google intends to adopt a more cautious strategy concerning engineering positions. Rather than resorting to outright layoffs, it seems that employees in technical roles at the Hyderabad and Bengaluru offices may be redirected towards projects that are expected to generate more revenue.
This new phase of layoffs occurs amidst wider transformations within the company's organizational framework. Last year, Google integrated its Platforms and Devices teams and implemented voluntary exit plans to mitigate the impact of future workforce reductions. In a statement earlier this year, a Google representative acknowledged that these layoffs were a component of the streamlining process that followed the merger. It was also confirmed that employees were presented with buyout options in January to voluntarily leave the company. Like many other prominent tech firms, Google is adjusting to a shifting digital landscape, heavily influenced by the emergence of generative AI and the necessity to realign expenditures with high-priority business areas. Such pressures have compelled tech companies and startups to adopt performance-based assessments, consolidate teams, and engage in strategic adjustments designed to enhance cost efficiency.
As reported by Layoffs.fyi, over 28,000 tech employees have been laid off across 108 companies globally as of early 2025. This trend of layoffs has affected major corporations, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon. Recently, Microsoft has been noted for its intentions to initiate a new round of job cuts possibly beginning in May 2025. The company reportedly plans to downsize middle-management positions while increasing the proportion of engineers relative to non-technical staff. Internal sources suggest that Microsoft is evaluating departments where managers outnumber programmers, aiming to streamline operations by reducing hierarchical levels.
Additionally, under the leadership of Charlie Bell, Microsoft’s security division is purportedly working towards a significant enhancement of its engineer-to-manager ratio, aiming for a ratio of 10:1, improved from the current 5.5:1. This restructuring may also lead to the dismissal of employees who consistently receive low performance ratings, specifically those scoring “Impact 80” or below.
This is not the first instance of job reductions affecting Google's offices in India. In 2023, the tech giant dismissed around 12,000 staff members worldwide, representing nearly 6 percent of its total workforce, which also had repercussions for its operations in India across various sectors. However, the present scenario seems to be more deliberate, concentrating on restructuring particular areas like advertising and marketing to better align with current market conditions.
