YouTube offers ‘voluntary exit programme’ to US employees

YouTube has launched a “voluntary exit programme” (VEP) for US-based employees, offering severance pay, according to an internal company memo.

In the memo, CEO Neal Mohan described the move as the first update to the Google-owned company’s “core leadership structure” in ten years. "Starting today, eligible US YouTubers in my direct-reporting org have the ability to voluntarily leave with a severance package. US YouTubers will receive more details in a separate note," he said

This follows Google’s earlier introduction of similar voluntary exit or ‘buyout’ packages across various departments this year. A buyout offers severance pay to encourage employees to leave their positions.


The memo outlined a major reorganisation of YouTube’s product teams into three new groups, each reporting directly to Mohan.

The “Subscription Products” team will manage YouTube’s subscription services, including YouTube Music & Premium and OTT. The “Viewer Products” team will oversee the viewer experience across the main YouTube app, YouTube Kids, Learning, Trust & Safety, and more. Meanwhile, the “Creator & Community Products” organisation will focus on supporting creators and building communities.

The company confirmed that no roles are being eliminated as part of these changes, which will take effect on November 5.

“Looking to the future, the next frontier for YouTube is AI, which has the potential to transform every part of the platform,” Mohan said in the memo. “We need to set ourselves up to make the most of this opportunity.”

Google offered similar exit options to employees in its knowledge and information (K&I), central engineering, marketing, research, and communications units in June. In January, the same offer was made to staff in the Platforms and Devices division, which includes the Pixel and Android teams.

Parent Alphabet announced its third-quarter results on Wednesday, revealing that YouTube’s advertising revenue increased 16% year on year to $102.3 billion.