Google Cuts 35% of Small Team Managers... Pichai Urges Efficiency Over Headcount

Vice President Welle: "Reducing Bureaucracy and Streamlining Operations"

Google has laid off one-third of its managers who oversaw small teams of fewer than three members over the past year, according to a report by CNBC on August 27 (local time).

Reuters Yonhap News

According to a Google meeting transcript obtained by CNBC, Brian Welle, Google's Vice President of People Analytics & Performance, stated at a recent all-hands meeting, "Currently, we have 35% fewer managers and direct reports compared to the same time last year," adding, "This represents significant progress."

The media outlet, citing sources, reported that the managers who were let go had been in charge of small teams with three or fewer employees.

Vice President Welle explained that the goal is to reduce bureaucracy and streamline company operations.

Sundar Pichai, Google’s Chief Executive Officer, also reiterated during the meeting that "we should not try to solve every problem simply by adding headcount, but rather focus on increasing efficiency even as we scale up."

Google previously laid off 6% of its total workforce in 2023 and has continued to implement job cuts across various departments. Since January of this year, the company has carried out restructuring by introducing a voluntary resignation program.

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