Tech giant Google, which maintains a significant presence in Austin, has implemented a reduction in its recruitment personnel as part of its latest round of layoffs this year. According to a report by The New York Times, Google has laid off several hundred employees, a fact that has been confirmed by the American-Statesman. This latest round of layoffs follows a previous widescale reduction in January, during which Google cut 12,000 jobs or approximately 6% of its global workforce of nearly 187,000 individuals. At the time, the company announced the cuts in a blog post, and a spokesperson declined to comment on whether Central Texas workers were affected.
On Thursday, Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini confirmed to the Statesman that the new layoffs affected recruiters. The company did not provide any information on whether the layoffs impacted any employees in the Austin area. As of late 2021, Google had over 1,500 employees in Austin, but the company has not disclosed how recent rounds of layoffs may have affected its workforce in the region.
Mencini stated that the company is providing support to affected employees during the transition period through outplacement services and severance. Google has had a significant presence in Austin since it opened an office in the city in 2007, which is considered one of the company’s largest hubs. The company also has plans to occupy an entire 35-story tower being constructed at 601 W. Second St. As of late 2021, Google had at least 1,500 employees in Central Texas with plans for growth. The company has not provided an updated headcount for Austin after either recent round of layoffs.
During its latest earnings call in July, Google stated that it is “sharpening its focus” on artificial intelligence.
