Well isn’t it obvious that if they make the same amount after the layoffs as before, then they lost in the last quarter whatever they paid employees who weren’t adding to the bottom line?
Obvious but wrong. Only salespeople and M&A dealmakers add to the bottom line. All engineers and marketers are cost centers. One acquistion can add billions to revenue. Taking a charge for impairment of good will after a Waymo vehicle kills a busload of Girl Scouts would have nothing to do with that many employees. Earnings changes due to currency fluctuations also have nothing to do with employment. Oh yeah, customers using more or less of paid services doesn't reflect at all on employees either.