Following Pixel, Google ‘voluntary exits’ continue with PeopleOps

Following the division behind Pixel, Android, and Chrome in January, Google today announced a new “voluntary exit” program for its People Operations, or HR, team.

Also known as PeopleOps, this division is responsible for Google’s famous employee perks, as well as traditional human resources, hiring, compensation, benefits, retention, building teams, and more.

In an email sent to employees on Tuesday, which was seen by 9to5Google, the company’s Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, announced the voluntary exit program for US-based employees. 

The voluntary exit for Platforms & Devices (Android, Chrome/OS, Google Photos, Google One, Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest) was a result of the large operating system and hardware teams merging last year. Google wanted to give employees that might not be aligned with the organization’s mission an opportunity to leave. It was also intended to be an improvement over Google’s previous approach to layoffs.

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This latest program is borne out of a recent restructuring of People Operations that came with a new strategy. In 2025, the focus is on maintaining high-performing teams across Google and improving efficiency, which has been a general company aim over the past few years. Innovating on HR practices is also another goal.  Historically, PeopleOps has reflected how Google is very data and metrics-driven.

With today’s announcement, Google is also opening new roles in PeopleOps that reflect the changes.

In a statement to us this afternoon, a Google spokesperson confirmed the moves:

“To support our People Operations team’s innovative work ahead, we’re opening new roles and offering a voluntary exit program with severance for their US-based employees.”