India, June 11 -- Google has offered voluntary buyouts to employees across several divisions, including its Search unit, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce its workforce, CNBC reported on Tuesday.

The buyouts have been extended to workers in various departments such as knowledge and information (K-I), central engineering, marketing, research, and communications. The K-I division includes Google's major businesses like Search, Ads, and Commerce.

According to CNBC, the move is part of Google's broader cost-cutting strategy, which began last year with the layoff of around 12,000 employees.

The program, referred to as a "voluntary exit program" (VEP), is currently offered to US-based employees. The exact number of employees affected by t...