The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (Layoffs) of Google

Google has been making big headlines this week. Unfortunately, it’s not for anything good. The tech giant is set to cut 12,000 employees from their global staff. While this news doesn’t seem like much of a laughing matter, let’s take a look at the positives and negatives that come from this decision.

The Good:

• The Savings: As tough as this may be, Google is expected to save somewhere around $1 billion in costs. Considering their size, a little saving here and there virtually help keep the company afloat.
• Benefits: Despite the layoffs of many full-time employees, a plus of this move is that Google will offer those effected employees generous severance packages. This includes a 3-month salary, medical benefit coverage, and $1,500 in career counseling.

The Bad:

• The Affected: It goes without saying that no one is laughing about the 12,000 affected employees. This news is especially terrible for overseas workers that have been laid off.
• The Reduction: With the reduction of employees, some major projects may have to be put on the backburner (or better yet, forgotten). This could cause serious results for Google’s future.

The Ugly:

• The Numbers: 12,000 may now seem like a drop in the bucket in comparison to other layoffs we’ve seen. However, it’s still an eye-catching number and not something that you see everyday.
• The Unfortunate: You can’t help but feel terrible for those who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own. This comes from a decision from the executives that are high up in the corporate ladder.

In the end, no matter how funny the situation may seem, one must remember the impact this decision had. Sure, it’ll most likely save the company a few bucks, but let’s face it: those 12,000 people just lost their jobs. So, while we can joke and praise Google for the generous severance packages they provided, it’s important to remember not to downplay the amount of lives this has affected!