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Exit, But Make It Voluntary

Exit, But Make It Voluntary

Exit programs that make employees say “thank you” instead of “why me?”

Sadia Vali
September 02, 2025

In partnership with

Hey there,

Layoffs are messy. Attrition stings. But what if there was a middle ground—one where employees choose to walk away and still leave on good terms?

Enter: Voluntary Exit Programs (VEPs) — HR’s not-so-secret strategy to balance business needs with humanity.

🤔 So, What Is a Voluntary Exit Program?

Voluntary exit (or voluntary redundancy) is when a company says:
“Hey, we need to downsize… but instead of handpicking who goes, we’re giving you the option to leave with benefits.”

It usually comes with perks like:
✨ Severance packages
✨ Extended benefits
✨ Sometimes even career counseling

It’s smoother than layoffs, legally less risky, and—let’s be real—just feels a whole lot kinder.

(Deep dive from AIHR)

📌 Why Companies Use It

Fairness over fear: Employees see it as a choice, not a punishment.
Morale check: You avoid the dark cloud that forced layoffs bring.
Strategic shuffle: Lets orgs redesign without sparking rebellion.
Exit with dignity: No “clean your desk in 10 minutes” drama.

It’s HR’s version of “we need space” — soft landing, not crash landing.

🟦Google’s Golden Goodbye

Restructuring usually screams layoffs — messy exits, low morale, LinkedIn feeds full of heartbreak posts. But Google took a different route.

Their HR head, Fiona Cicconi, revealed that the company’s voluntary exit program was “actually quite successful” — with nearly 5% of employees choosing to walk away (with a nice cheque in hand).

Why? AI is rewriting the playbook for which roles really matter. Instead of swinging the axe, Google offered a softer landing. Employees in divisions like Search, Ads, and Knowledge got the chance to opt out with dignity and benefits.

👉 Translation: they turned a tough moment into a choice — and people respected that.

📖 Full story here → TOI Article

They even offered buyouts to folks in Search, Ads, and Knowledge divisions. Imagine being paid to leave Google. Talk about a golden goodbye.

🛠️ How to Pull Off a Voluntary Exit Program Without Chaos

If you’re thinking of introducing one, here’s your cheat sheet:

Make it truly voluntary — no pressure, no “wink wink, take the package.”
Over-communicate — what’s included, who’s eligible, when it ends. Clarity = trust.
Sweeten the pot — severance + outplacement support beats cash alone.
Protect business continuity — don’t lose all your A-players at once.
Check your culture pulse — sometimes people opting out tells you more than staying does.

Job boards are dead. Your network is alive.

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And it’s how independents grow without burning out.

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🤔Is Your Performance Review Still Stuck in 2015?

What if performance reviews weren’t surprise exams with no syllabus… but ongoing conversations that actually build people?

That’s exactly what over 130 HR leaders explored in TSOW’s latest field research - captured in our brand-new Q2 eBook:

“Research Insights & TSOW HR Think Tank: Performance Management”

Inside, you'll find:
✅ Experiments from real HR teams across India
✅ Dashboards that track feedback, not just delivery
✅ Story-based reviews, gamified goals, and AI nudges
✅ What CHROs really think about ratings, OKRs, and the future of feedback

This isn’t a theoretical whitepaper. It’s what HR teams are actually trying or itching to try - right now.

We think you’ll come away with at least three experiments you’ll want to pilot this quarter.

🟡 What if HR stopped trying to catch up - and started designing what’s next?

The Shape of Work: HR Playbook 4.0
📅 September 24 | 🖥️ Virtual | 🆓 Free to attend
🎓 Certificate included
💡 Built for HR & People Ops professionals across all experience levels

No recycled panels. No vague promises. Just sharp, deeply current sessions on:

– Career frameworks for orgs with no ladders
– Data that earns a seat at the table
– And teams without borders (and what they need to thrive)

Playbook is designed to make you stop, think, and say:
“This is what HR should be talking about.”

🤖 AI in Recruiting: Better Matches, Less Guesswork

Screening résumés manually? That’s yesterday’s problem. AI can scan, score, and match candidates in minutes — giving you:

🚀 Speed — shortlist in a fraction of the time
🎯 Accuracy — skills matched to the role, not gut instinct
🙌 Freedom — HR focuses on people, not piles of CVs

💡 TSOW Tip: The goal isn’t replacing human judgment — it’s amplifying it with better, faster insights.

📊👥 TSOW HR Leaders Roundtables – Be Part of the Conversation

We believe that some of the most powerful insights emerge when experienced minds come together in the same room.

That’s why we’ve been hosting a series of exclusive, in-person roundtables for senior HR leaders across India.

These sessions are designed to foster open dialogue, meaningful peer exchange, and trusted community building — all in a safe, curated space.

Whether you're navigating transformation, scaling culture, or simply seeking clarity in a noisy world of work, these roundtables are for you.

We’re heading to the following cities soon — we’d love to have you join us:

🔒 Note: This is a senior HR leaders-focused event, and registrations will be reviewed and approved by our team to ensure a curated experience.

We can’t wait to see you there — and hear what’s on your mind.

🔥 No Fluff. Just Real Talk. Join the HR Meetup

Forget the jargon. This is where HR pros drop the filters, swap war stories, and actually learn what’s shaping work today.

✅ TSOW HR Meetup Hyderabad Saturday, September 6
Join the TSOW HR Meetup in Hyderabad and network with brilliant minds, enjoy coffee and snacks, and walk away with a digital certificate and plenty of fresh ideas. Seats fill fast register now!

✅TSOW HR Meetup in Pune, Saturday, September 13

Meet professionals who share your passion, discover new ways of thinking, and leave with fresh strategies—and a digital badge to show for it. Spots are limited—grab yours now!

✅TSOW HR Meetup in Jaipur, Saturday, September 20

Join us for an insightful evening focused on the future of HR. Connect with like-minded professionals, gain valuable perspectives, and walk away with new ideas. Seats are limited. Register today!

💬 Quick Thought

Would you ever implement a voluntary exit program at your org? Or do you think it risks losing too much talent?

Hit reply, I’d love to hear how you would design one.

Until next time, HR heroes ✨
— Team TSOW