Google Python team layoffs: Tech giant plans hiring cheap labour

Google has reportedly fired the entire Python team to cut down on its costs. Google is looking for less expensive labour outside the United States.

Google fires entire Python team (Pic: Google and Pixabay)

New Delhi: Google has fired the entire Python team in the United States, reports said. The tech giant is contemplating reducing its costs by hiring less expensive labour outside America. The recent pink slips have come as a shocker for the Google employees who have been associated with the company for several years. The latest round of layoffs also saw people associated with Flutter and Dart getting pink slips.

Google has reportedly said that the latest layoffs are part of its organisational restructuring efforts. The US-headquartered company is reportedly offering the sacked employees to join other teams. However, it seems far from reality as the Python team, which has been handed over pink slips, has a specific expertise. The team handles the demands and issues faced by the programming language which is used in various Google products and keeps them running stable.

Reports have emerged that Google is planning to set up a new unit in Germany as it will be cost effective. It is being said the salaries in the US are quite higher as compared to several countries.
In January 2024, Google sacked hundreds of workers across multiple teams, including engineering, hardware and assistants.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, in January 2024 announced that the company has decided to reduce its workforce by approximately 12,000 roles. Pichai attributed the layoffs decision to the investments related to Artificial Intelligence.

Google CEO had assured that all the employees will be paid fully during the full notification period. The tech giant also offered a severance package starting at 16 weeks salary plus two weeks for every additional year at Google, and accelerate at least 16 weeks of GSU vesting.

“We’ll pay 2022 bonuses and remaining vacation time. We’ll be offering 6 months of healthcare, job placement services, and immigration support for those affected. Outside the US, we’ll support employees in line with local practices,” Pichai had said in his letter.