This post refers to full-time employees. You don't really need to fire TVCs; they're generally on shorter term contracts, which you can choose not to renew.
Any classification is an at-will relationships to Google. Google can choose not to keep/renew anyone. I’ve met many TVCs who have tenure at Google as good as an FTE.
The idea was that TVCs are the buffer headcount during recessions and would be the first to go when rebalancing. If they are truly laying off only FTE, it’s worth asking what Google is doing to TVC headcount. It’s unspoken so far.
