Google’s employees are clearly disgruntled and upset because of its layoffs. Around 15,000 workers are affected, with 1,000 getting laid off last week. Google told its employees that those who qualify will get severance pay and can try to find other jobs within the company. If they can’t find a new position, they’ll need to leave by April, 2024.
The Alphabet Workers Union, that speaks on behalf of the workers, says that due to mass layoffs, the union is planning protests to question how Google makes decisions and communicates with its employees.
On 18 January 2024, the Alphabet Workers Union arranged protests at five Google offices across the US, from California to New York.
A senior software engineer and communications chair of the union, expressed concerns about the chaos and anxiety caused by the layoffs. Google defended its actions, saying it was investing responsibly in priorities and opportunities.
An engineering manager, who was laid off, criticised the impersonal layoff notifications and called for a more humane approach. Another software engineer, highlighted a trend where long-serving employees receive termination notices via email, leading to discussions about loyalty.
Google faces criticism not just for terminating or laying off employees, but also for the manner in which it does so.