Google has reduced about one-third of its managers who were leading very small teams (three or fewer people) over the past year.
The goal is to streamline decision-making, reduce bureaucracy, and scale more efficiently by widening manager spans instead of layering more leadership.
At the same time, the company has expanded voluntary exit programs across multiple product areas, with a few percent of employees opting for buyouts.
This restructuring continues Google’s multi-year push for efficiency following earlier layoffs and hiring slowdowns. Leadership emphasizes that the focus is on smarter scaling not just cutting costs.
Takeaway: A strong signal that even the largest tech companies are rethinking management structures to stay leaner, faster, and more agile.
Do you think flatter hierarchies empower teams or risk overloading remaining managers?
