Google is tightening its return-to-office policies across various divisions, mandating that remote employees living within 50 miles of company offices work on-site at least three days a week or risk losing their jobs. The tech giant revealed this expanded requirement alongside voluntary buyout options for US-based employees in Search, marketing, research, and core engineering teams.
“When it comes to connection, collaboration, and moving quickly to innovate together, there’s just no substitute for coming together in person,” said Jen Fitzpatrick, Senior Vice President of Core Systems, in an internal memo obtained by multiple outlets
The new policy impacts staff in Google’s Knowledge & Information division, which includes Search, ads, and commerce operations, as well as Core engineering teams. Remote employees residing within 50 miles of designated Google offices must now shift to a hybrid three-day work schedule by September or opt for severance packages.
Nick Fox, head of Google’s Knowledge & Information group, emphasized the company’s commitment to having fully engaged employees. “My goal is for every single one of us here to be all-in on building the future of our products,” Fox wrote in his memo to staff.
The executive made clear that high-performing employees should remain with the company, stating: “If you’re excited about your work, energized by the opportunity ahead, and performing well, I really (really!) hope you don’t take this!”
However, Fox also offered an alternative for struggling employees: “This VEP offers a supportive exit path for those of you who don’t feel aligned with our strategy, don’t feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role.”
This announcement is part of Google’s ongoing initiative to limit remote work flexibility. In April 2025, the company started enforcing a return-to-office policy for remote workers in several divisions, threatening job elimination for those who do not comply, with some employees receiving relocation support to move within 50 miles of company locations.
Since early 2025, Google has been implementing targeted buyout programs following significant layoffs in 2023 that resulted in 12,000 job losses. The company continues to hire while optimizing operations to concentrate resources on artificial intelligence development and infrastructure investments.
The policy does not apply to employees in DeepMind, Google Cloud, YouTube, and central advertising sales divisions, although YouTube has its own requirement for nearby remote workers to return to the office.
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