Did they have rounds of layoffs first before closing down? Because this may just be the beginning. The fed rates generally take 9-12 months to hit the real economy. We're going to be feeling this for a while.
Generally yes, in this mass layoff access was just removed. I don't think Google's 'culture' will ever be the same. Intel folks have known they were getting laid off for months now. Which is helpful whether they're choosing to stay or leave.
From a LinkedIn post that I assume this author sourced for their opinion:
Things Intel did this time around, that weren't done last time, nor by Google/MSFT:
* Advance notice it was coming to all employees.
* The goal was budget reduce, so large business units had some ability to reduce (not eliminate) layoffs with extreme cost-cutting measures. Point is, there was a clear stated goal besides elimination of jobs.
* Per public sources, the CEO is taking a 25% pay cut, leadership team 15%, etc, with the goal of reducing that number of people laid off.
* Some Intel business groups gave people a chance to 'sign up' for voluntary separation.
* Personally told by my manager I was impacted.
* 1-2 weeks to wrap up my work.
* Then 9 weeks(!!!) paid employee of Intel for the sole purpose of finding a new opportunity inside or outside Intel.
This is all on top of the severance, which is the lone similarity with the other big tech layoffs.
That's actually how bad other companies have bungled this. Intel did a better job than most everyone. They gave everyone several months notice of layoffs, prioritized internal candidates for new roles, gave a decent severance package and leaders are actually taking a pay hit.
It's not perfect, but it doesn't make Google look all that great. Google dumped tons of engineers and has plenty of engineering roles currently open, they didn't even bother trying to move folks around.