Google has been focusing on expanding its artificial intelligence infrastructure for a while. It has been arduously trying to stay ahead by not letting its AI staff go to the competition. Earlier in the month, we covered the company’s DeepMind workforce getting a salary for up to a year for doing nothing in an attempt to keep them hooked to the tech giant and not go to its rival companies instead.
While the company has been intensifying its efforts in this area, it laid off about 100 employees due to the Android and Pixel merger to operate more effectively. Now, it seems like the company is asking several teams within Google to work remotely to move to a hybrid schedule if they do not want to lose their jobs.
Google is making some of its remote staff members move to a hybrid schedule by warning them about a potential layoff for non-compliance
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the work dynamics not only during the time it was there but also many stuck to the same established formats even after the whole nightmare was over, allowing remote work options for their employees. Google also went for a similar route during the pandemic, where staff members were allowed to either work remotely or move to other flexible work arrangements. It has been five years since the life-changing situation, and Google seems to be no longer in the mood to continue in the same way, and it seems to be adamant that employees should return to physical offices.
According to internal documents viewed by CNBC, several units are now instructing employees previously approved for remote working to move to a hybrid schedule or be at risk of losing their jobs. The strict directive marks a major change in the company’s strategy, with the company preferring to centralize operations and encourage more in-person collaboration, which is deemed more effective. While the policy is not for all employees, but is limited to specific teams, it still highlights the harsh consequences the staff could face for resistance, ranging from bad performance reviews to even potentially being laid off.
At the start of 2025, Google initiated voluntary buyouts to some of its full-time employees in the U.S. to fulfill its broader goal of cutting costs by reshaping its workforce. But what is more alarming now is that Google is giving certain remote employees a return or resign ultimatum, even if they have been given permission to opt for a remote-working format. Employees are left with no option but to return to a hybrid schedule or risk losing their jobs.
The aggressive approach comes at a time when Google is trying to slash costs in some areas so that it can invest more in others. This is especially true in the case of artificial intelligence, where the company is spending more. This seems to be a broader trend in the tech industry, as other tech giants also seem to be pushing to move away from remote work settings and invest in AI rather than other segments.
