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Google is intensifying its return to office strategy by informing certain remote employees that failure to switch to a hybrid schedule could result in job loss.
The move marks a significant shift in tone five years after the onset of the Covid pandemic, with the tech giant increasingly linking remote work status to broader cost-cutting efforts.
Internal notices viewed by CNBC reveal that multiple business units at Google have begun directing employees, some of whom had previously been approved for remote work, to report to their nearest office at least three days a week. Those who fail to comply risk being offered voluntary exit packages or facing role elimination.
The change coincides with wider attempts across the tech sector to rein in expenses while boosting investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and talent. As of the end of 2024, Google's global headcount had fallen to approximately 183,000, down from 190,000 two years earlier.
HR and technical teams face hard deadlines
Google’s People Operations team, which oversees HR functions, has been directly affected. Staff living within 50 miles of a Google office have until June to commit to hybrid work or risk termination. Those working remotely who wish to transition into other roles will be required to switch to hybrid arrangements as well.
In some cases, relocation support has been offered. Technical Services employees, for example, have been given a one-time payment to cover costs if they agree to move within 50 miles of an office. The company has emphasised that decisions are being made at the team level, rather than through a unified corporate directive.
Courtenay Mencini, a Google spokesperson, said: “As we’ve said before, in-person collaboration is an important part of how we innovate and solve complex problems. To support this, some teams have asked remote employees that live near an office to return to in-person work three days a week.”
The requirement is not new in spirit but signals a firmer enforcement strategy, especially in teams that have undergone recent restructuring. In February, Google HR chief Fiona Cicconi outlined voluntary exit offers for full-time employees in People Operations. A similar offer was made to workers in the Platforms and Devices group earlier this year, affecting teams across Android, Chrome, Nest, and Fitbit.
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Leadership doubles down on workplace presence
Google co-founder Sergey Brin reinforced the urgency in a memo to AI workers, stating that daily office attendance and a 60-hour work week are optimal for productivity. His remarks reflect the company’s increased focus on AI competitiveness and a desire to "turbocharge" internal performance.
While remote work was cited in internal communications as a contributing factor in some role reductions, the company says it was not the primary driver. Mencini added that the Platforms and Devices unit continues to recruit, despite recent cutbacks, and has been realigning operations to improve efficiency following a merger between the Android and hardware teams.
For HR leaders watching from across industries, Google’s tougher line on remote work signals a pivotal moment in the long-term evolution of hybrid employment policies - and makes it a potential bellwether for broader shifts in corporate workforce strategy.
