Nearly 100 Google employees gathered at the company’s Mountain View campus to demand stronger job security. They delivered a petition signed by more than 4,500 employees seeking greater protection against layoffs.
Organised by the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU), the demonstration saw employees wearing matching T-shirts and holding placards calling for improved employment safeguards. The union described the petition as the largest single piece of employee feedback the company has received on the issue of job security.
Addressed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai and other senior executives, the petition calls for guaranteed severance packages, voluntary exit options before any involuntary layoffs, the removal of performance-based quotas and the choice to receive severance as extended paid leave.
A group of employees attempted to hand over the petition to senior leaders, including Pichai and executives overseeing Google Cloud, Devices and Search. As the executives were unavailable, copies of the petition were left at their offices.
The protest comes amid continuing concerns over job security following Google’s decision to eliminate around 12,000 roles in 2023, followed by several smaller rounds of workforce reductions. Employees say the recurring layoffs have created uncertainty, with many feeling increased pressure to maintain high performance amid fears of future job cuts.
The union also raised concerns about the company’s growing emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). Employees said AI-related expectations have increasingly become part of performance evaluations, creating uncertainty over how these criteria will influence career progression and workforce decisions.
The campaign builds on previous employee activism at Google, although this time the focus has shifted from ethical concerns to employment stability. The union argues that stronger job protections are necessary as the company continues to invest heavily in AI infrastructure while reporting strong financial performance.
According to the union, Google has previously introduced voluntary exit programmes covering tens of thousands of employees, which it views as evidence that employee feedback can influence workplace policies. The AWU said it intends to continue pressing management for greater transparency and stronger commitments on job security.
