The HRTech Wire

Are the massive layoffs at large corporations really caused by AI taking jobs away from humans?

Google has expanded its voluntary separation program to five overseas countries since June, with about 5,000 employees in Switzerland alone, according to a Reuters exclusive. Packages reportedly reach up to 12 months of salary, and Microsoft reportedly sent voluntary exit invitations to about 60,000 employees a week earlier. The article argues buyouts help companies avoid age-discrimination lawsuits and the 60-day state notice rule for mass layoffs, and says tech layoffs in 2026 have passed 170,000 so far, above the 2001 level.