Google offers 'voluntary exit' to all US platforms and devices employees

Hm. Why create this environment where the people with the most options will preferentially be induced to leave? Also the impact on the company project seems less predictable. Aside from avoiding the extreme difficulty involved in doing layoffs and choosing folks to let go, what are the upsides of this approach?

EDIT: I see that my take was wrong and too narrow. Thanks to everyone who replied.

> Aside from avoiding the extreme difficulty involved in doing layoffs and choosing folks to let go

Preventing massive emotional turmoil and political conflict sounds like a pretty huge upside, I'd even go so far as to argue that it's precisely the reason why everyone would prefer this situation. What alternative approaches are you thinking about that have more upsides?