According to Reuters, starting in June, Google expanded its voluntary severance program to Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland, continuing measures first introduced in the U.S. and U.K. in 2025. The company aims to manage operating costs while protecting core business areas.
Notably, Google excluded its AI research division DeepMind and Google Cloud from the severance program, maintaining these as priority hiring areas. In Switzerland, where Google employs about 5,000 people, eligible employees who accept the severance receive compensation equivalent to one month's salary per year of service, capped at 12 months.