Google employees send open letter to Sundar Pichai asking for better handling of layoffs, say....
Google's decision to lay off 12,000 employees globally has garnered significant media attention and criticism from current and former employees. The company's reputation for having a positive work culture and caring for its employees has been tarnished by reports of insensitive and disrespectful layoffs. Some employees reported being locked out of their systems, while others were fired while on vacation, maternity leave, or medical leave. There were even reports of employees having to test their access passes, with a red pass indicating that they had been laid off.
In response to the layoffs, more than 1,400 Google employees have signed an open letter to CEO Sundar Pichai, asking him to handle the process in a better way and to adhere to the company's motto of "Don't Be Evil." The letter outlines five commitments that employees are demanding from Pichai, including freezing new hires during the layoff process, prioritizing rehires for recently laid-off employees, protecting co-workers from countries with active conflicts or humanitarian crises, respecting scheduled leaves, and ensuring no discriminatory effects based on various factors.
In addition to the criticism surrounding the layoffs, former Google employees who were laid off while on medical or maternity leave have claimed that the company is refusing to pay them for their approved time off. More than 100 former Google employees have asked Alphabet to pay them for their pre-approved time off, as they were informed that they would only receive a standard severance package through their "designated end date" instead of their approved time off.
The controversy surrounding Google's layoffs and treatment of employees has raised questions about the company's values and commitment to its workers. It remains to be seen how Google will address these concerns and respond to the demands outlined in the employees' open letter.
The layoffs at Google have caused significant controversy and backlash, with employees and former employees speaking out about their treatment. In addition to the open letter from current Google employees to Sundar Pichai, former employees have also been vocal about their experiences.
One such example is that of a former Google employee who was fired while on maternity leave. In an interview with NBC News, the employee stated that she had been with the company for six years and had always received positive performance reviews. However, while on leave, she was informed that her role had been eliminated and that she would be let go. She also stated that the severance package she was offered was not commensurate with her length of service and was less than what she would have received if she had been laid off while still working.
Another former employee shared her story on Twitter, stating that she had been laid off while undergoing cancer treatment. She stated that the company had initially offered her a six-month leave of absence, but then terminated her employment before the leave was over. She also shared that the severance package she was offered was less than what she had expected.
Google has responded to the criticism by stating that they are offering generous severance packages to affected employees and are providing them with job search resources. The company has also stated that they are committed to treating all employees with respect and fairness during the layoffs.
The controversy at Google highlights the challenges that companies face when conducting layoffs, particularly in the tech industry where companies are often known for their progressive cultures and values. As employees continue to speak out about their experiences, it remains to be seen how Google will respond and what changes they will make to their layoff policies in the future.
In response to the open letter from its employees, Google issued a statement saying that it had been "thoughtful and responsible" in the process of the layoffs, and that it would continue to engage with its employees throughout the process. The company also highlighted that it had provided comprehensive severance packages to those who had been laid off, and that it had committed to finding new roles for affected employees where possible.
Regarding the issue of severance pay, Google initially maintained that it was providing standard severance packages to laid-off employees, which included payment for any unused vacation time, but not for any additional time off such as medical or maternity leave. However, following criticism from employees and advocacy groups, the company later announced that it would change its policy to provide full pay to employees who were laid off while on approved medical or parental leave.
The issue of Google's handling of the layoffs has sparked broader conversations about the company's corporate culture and its treatment of employees. Some critics have argued that the company's initial decision to exclude payment for additional time off in its severance packages showed a lack of empathy and respect for its workers, and that this is at odds with the company's public image as a progressive and employee-friendly workplace. Others have pointed out that the layoffs themselves, which were attributed to a shift in the company's business priorities, raise questions about the long-term job security of Google employees and the company's commitment to its workers.
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