Google employees have initiated a petition for "job security" as concerns of impending layoffs loom over the tech giant. The internal petition, viewed by CNBC and signed by over 1,250 employees, calls upon CEO Sundar Pichai to offer voluntary buyouts before proceeding with any layoffs. Additionally, the petition requests that severance packages mirror those provided during the significant workforce reduction in January 2023, which saw over 12,000 employees lose their jobs.
The petition reflects growing unrest among Google's workforce as they brace for further cost-cutting measures. Employees are also urging Google's leadership to refrain from using performance reviews as a tool to eliminate staff, highlighting concerns over potential low ratings being assigned to facilitate dismissals. The company's performance review system, known as Google Reviews and Development (GRAD), evaluates employees based on their role, level, and set expectations without enforced rating distributions.
"We, the undersigned Google workers from offices across the US and Canada, are concerned about instability at Google that impacts our ability to do high quality, impactful work," – Google employees
Google has faced challenges in maintaining morale amongst its employees amidst a turbulent year marked by faulty product launches, worker protests, and repeated layoffs across various divisions. Impacted employees have reported inconsistencies in their severance packages. The petition serves as the latest indication of employee dissatisfaction within the company.
In October, new CFO Anat Ashkenazi emphasized her commitment to driving cost reductions while expanding Google's investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure slated for 2025. Her statement signals the potential for further financial tightening within the organization.
"Any organization can always push a little further and I'll be looking at additional opportunities," – Anat Ashkenazi
As Google navigates these internal challenges, the petition underscores the workforce's demand for greater transparency and fairness in any future employment decisions. By calling for guaranteed severance packages and appealing for a more compassionate approach to layoffs, employees hope to influence leadership decisions during this uncertain period.