Google has reportedly laid off around 40-45 employees in its news division. As first reported by CNBC, a Google spokesperson noted the internal changes to streamline the organization, which will affect a small number of employees. The spokesperson also reportedly said that the company is assisting employees as they leave. The layoffs in the editorial/news division come at an “odd” time, considering the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the Russia-Ukraine , and the general turmoil these and other events have caused around the world.
A Google employee took to LinkedIn to announce the layoffs, saying the company has shown the door to some of its “best and brightest.” He also said the layoffs will definitely make things worse for the company and asked users to amplify his message to help former Googlers get back on their feet.
See also: Nokia: Lays off up to 14,000 workers after falling profits
Meanwhile, the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU-CWA) criticized the company in a scathing statement. Alphabet is Google's parent company. The union accused Google of once again using the unstable economic conditions for job cuts.
The union wrote that after the first 12,000 staff layoffs in January, there have been hundreds more layoffs around the world, including in recruitment and even subcontractors who have lost their livelihoods. The AWU also accused Google of protecting shareholders and executive compensation over workers. “Our jobs are not safe,” the union said.
See also: LinkedIn lays off nearly 700 employees — read the memo
In the context of the technological development we are observing today, the firing of workers in the technology sector is a phenomenon that creates significant disruption.
Economic Impact
In addition to the layoffs, which therefore concern the employees themselves, there are also the effects they have on the economy. Job losses in the technology sector can have wide-ranging consequences for the economy, since in recent years, technology has been one of the most successful and dynamically developing sectors of the economy.
See also: Epic Games: Lays off 16% of its workforce
Human-centered issues
Furthermore, the human consequences of these layoffs should not be ignored. The effects of mass layoffs can seriously affect the lives of workers and their families, as well as social stability. Job loss is a heavy psychological burden for many of these people, leading to a state of uncertainty and misery.
Source: in.mashable.com
