Oversee.net, the parent company of DomainSponsor, Moniker, Snapnames and DomainFest has layed off another round of employees today. Rumor has it that about 15% 18% (39 people) of the current workforce were affected according to Mason Cole, Oversee.net VP of Communications.

On DomainNameWire Mason Cole stated:

Oversee is reorganizing its businesses because it expects a very difficult economic environment in 2009. As part of the reorganization, we have had an 18% reduction in force, including some managers.

Oversee will focus over the next year in the areas where it has a leadership position. Going forward, areas of focus include: Domain name monetization, Domain name aftermarket, Registrar, and Travel.

Accordingly, we’ve discontinued activity or investment in areas that aren’t as promising (mortgage, for example). The reduction is a result of the refocusing on key areas.

In August of 2008 Oversee.net had layed off 10% of their staff.

According to the official Google blog, 100 Google HR positions were recently eliminated. Although minor in the scheme of things (Google lists roughly 20,000 employees as of September 2008) this move gives a clear sign that the company is scaling back.  The Google post also references the recent cuts of contractor positions which you can read about over at Valleywag as well. Silicon Alley Insider notes that the move seems to tell a lot about Google’s growth expectations.

Google’s troubles are a good barometer for companies in the domain business that are dependent on parking revenue.  This news may not read as devastating or shocking, but it is a somber reminder of the tough times we all face, even the big guys.  As John Battelle put it, “When Google catches a cold, it’s a sure bet a lot of other companies have pneumonia, or worse.”