Workforce Strategy News
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The HRTech Wire →This week's briefing →Submit newsPublish a sponsored article — $300EXCLUSIVE: Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries - Reuters
Google has expanded a voluntary exit programme launched in 2025 to employees in Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland, according to a Reuters exclusive confirmed by a company spokesperson. The move is designed to reshape workforce composition amid surging AI investment costs, even as Alphabet's total headcount rose by roughly 10,000 in six months — reaching 204,757 at end of September 2026 — partly driven by the acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz. Google Cloud and DeepMind are reportedly excluded from the offers. Terms have not been officially disclosed for the latest round, though earlier programmes reportedly offered one month's salary per year of service, capped at 12 months.
HR TechnologyRavical raises $17M to break the link between accounting firms' growth and hiring - Tech.eu
Ravical has reportedly raised $17M to help accounting firms grow revenue without scaling headcount at the same pace, according to Tech.eu. The raise positions the company within the emerging category of AI tools designed to decouple professional-services growth from hiring.
HR LeadershipKraton Appoints Brian Rea as Chief Human Resources Officer - PR Newswire
Specialty chemicals company Kraton has named Brian Rea as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, according to a PR Newswire announcement. Further details about Rea's background or the strategic priorities behind the appointment have not been disclosed.
Workday to Cut About 2.5% of Workforce, Mainly in Product and Technology
Workday, Inc. disclosed on September 29, 2026 via SEC Form 8-K that it is reducing its global workforce by approximately 2.5%, with cuts concentrated in its Product and Technology organization. The company also announced select leased office space reductions. Total restructuring charges are estimated at $65M–$80M, with the bulk ($55M–$70M) to be recognized in fiscal Q3 2027. Non-GAAP financial guidance for fiscal 2027 remains unchanged from the August 27, 2026 earnings call.
New IBM CHRO Study: AI Puts Critical Thinking at the Center of Workforce Priorities - PR Newswire
IBM's latest CHRO study reportedly places critical thinking at the top of workforce priority lists as enterprise AI adoption accelerates, signaling a notable shift in how HR leaders are thinking about human skills in an increasingly automated environment.
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