Google leader leaves ₹3.4 crore position, remarks ‘it was a comfortable job, but…’
Former Google Executive Quits ₹3.4 Crore Job to Seek Purpose and Balance
A former Google executive who once earned nearly ₹3.4 crore annually decided to step away from her high-paying role to spend more meaningful time with her loved ones. Florence Poirel, who served as a senior programme manager at Google’s Zurich office, told CNBC that her decision stemmed from a desire to live “a life of purpose and balance.”
“The Work Was Pleasant, But I Wanted Clarity”
At 37, Poirel said she wasn’t burnt out or dissatisfied with her corporate life. “When I left, I wasn’t experiencing burnout at all. My team was great, and the work itself was enjoyable,” she shared with CNBC Make It. What changed, she explained, was her perspective.
“I came to realise that spending quality time with the people I love matters the most,” she said, referring to her partner Jan, who also works at Google and is 17 years her senior. “I couldn’t wait until retirement to enjoy time with him.”
Inspired by the FIRE Movement
Over her decade-long career at Google, Poirel worked across several European offices, starting in Dublin before moving to Zurich. By 2024, her annual income had reached $390,000 (about ₹3.4 crore). However, learning about the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement encouraged her to reassess her goals and redefine success on her own terms.
