When Google closed the Fitbit acquisition in January 2021, Park remained as a vice president and general manager of Fitbit. He proceeded to announce the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 for Google, with his last appearance being in October 2023 at the company’s Pixel launch event.
Fitbit remained a Fitbit subsidiary after Google closed the Fitbit acquisition in January 2021. Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, along with other Fitbit leaders, are leaving as part of the restructuring.
Park went on to announce the Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2 for Google. He last made an appearance at the company’s Pixel launch event in October 2023. Google is streamlining its hardware teams, merging Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit under a single functional model. Previously, each division had independent teams for design, engineering, etc. Teams will now be centralized by expertise.
This restructuring will see Google cut a few hundred roles throughout Devices & Services, though most are reported to be happening within the first-party augmented reality hardware team.
This restructuring was announced to employees last week. Here’s the full email sent to some workers: “Due to changes in business needs, Google has decided to restructure operations at certain of its facilities, including the facility (if any) at which you work.
This restructuring is scheduled to start on January 10, 2024. Based on this decision, we have had to make some difficult decisions about the ongoing employment of some Google employees, and we regret to inform you that your position is being removed. We recognize how much this impacts you and regret your decision to move in this direction.
We understand you may have a lot of questions. Please take a moment to review the information on the offboarding site, including essential tasks you need to complete, outplacement services being offered, state unemployment information, and information about requesting further HR support. You may also consider applying for one of the available opportunities at Google. If your interests and experience are a good match for an open position, you can apply for the position through the normal internal application process on Grow through your exit date and on Google’s career site thereafter; however, we cannot guarantee an internal transfer opportunity prior to your exit.
You will continue to receive your standard hourly rate or salary through the termination date, and you will continue to be eligible for company benefits, including accrual of vacation time, through that time. Pursuant to the Company Severance Pay Plan (“SPP”), in exchange for signing and returning the Separation Agreement and Release (“SAR”) by the date specified in the SAR, if you are unable to secure another position by April 9, 2024, which will be your last day at Google, (Please see the note below on your exit date if you are currently on an approved, eligible leave of absence.)
You will receive the SAR on or shortly after the termination date; a copy of the SPP is posted on the offboarding site. Please note that, notwithstanding anything else in this notice, if you are terminated for misconduct or the subject of a pending investigation for sexual misconduct or retaliation prior to the termination date, Google retains the discretion to not offer, or to rescind its offer of, such a severance package. and the SAR becomes effective, you will be eligible for a severance package (as described in the SAR) starting at 14 weeks of salary plus one additional week for every year of service, subject to all applicable withholdings and deductions.
As a result of your employment loss, you may also be eligible to receive job retraining, re-employment services, or other assistance with obtaining new employment from the New York State Department of Labor or its workforce partners upon your termination. This is detailed on the linked offboarding site. During the period between now and the termination date (the “notification period”), you may be required to perform tasks related to transitioning your role-related duties and to consult with your peers and manager, to the extent needed, in the performance of those tasks. [For employees who are currently on an approved leave or have a scheduled, eligible leave of absence during the notification period, please see below.]
If your job has already ended, you can access reemployment information and apply for unemployment insurance benefits on the department’s website. You can also use the contact information provided on the website or visit one of the department’s local offices for further information and assistance. Additionally, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits after your last day of employment. Whenever possible, the New York State Department of Labor will get in touch with your employer to arrange to provide additional information regarding these benefits and services to you through workshops, interviews, and other activities that will be scheduled prior to the time your employment ends. Your coverage under Google’s health care plan will end on the last day of the month of your termination date.
This action is anticipated to be permanent, and to the extent that any notice is required of you under the federal and/or state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Acts, this letter serves as notice. Google does not recognize bumping rights for its employees, which means that terminated employees are not allowed to displace remaining employees based on seniority or any other factor.
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