Google transfers hardware employees amidst downsizing, rather than making them redundant

‘Cut backs’ seems to be a key phrase alongside ‘layoffs’ this year, as every company seems to be shaking things up, inevitably making a number of employees redundant. Even Google is not immune as it scales back its dwindling hardware division, but the Search giant is ensuring that its employees still have a home within the company by asking them to temporarily transfer to other departments.

During its Pixel launch in 2017, Google unveiled its efforts to bring laptops and tablets under its own wing rather than solely relying on third-party Chromebooks. It seems as though the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate haven’t fared as well as the company had originally hoped, as its Google Create hardware division has been hit the hardest by “roadmap cutbacks.”

Business Insider reports that Google is asking dozens of employees that have worked on products ‘Made by Google’ to shift over to other positions within parent company Alphabet, as the Search giant itself downsizes its hardware department. According to an anonymous employee speaking with the publication, the Create group had a “bunch of stuff in the works,” indicating that a range of products were set to arrive alongside the tentatively titled Pixel 4 before the change-up.

Its upcoming flagship handset is unaffected by the restructuring, as the Pixel division is entirely separate. In fact, many affected employees are reportedly hoping to integrate into the Pixel team, although Google has refused comment in order to clarify.

KitGuru Says: Although it’s not ideal to be yanked from the comforts of your normal job and given an ultimatum, it’s refreshing to see a company ensuring that its employees still have a home. It’s a shame to see that its laptop/tablet efforts are being scaled back, but competition is already fierce in those two markets.  

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