Google to lay off 12,000 workers, becoming the latest tech company to cut staff. Google announced Friday it was laying off 12,000 workers after rapid expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic have worn off. It’s the latest tech firm to announce large layoffs - earlier this week, Microsoft announced 10,000 job cuts, or nearly 5% of its workforce. Amazon is cutting 18,000 jobs and Facebook parent Meta is shedding 11,000 positions. Source 2s.