Google workers demand job security amid looming layoffs

In recent weeks, more than 1,250 Google employees in the United States and Canada have come together to express their concerns about job security through an internal petition. This movement comes in response to statements made by Chief Financial Officer Anat Ashkenazi, who indicated a push for further cost-cutting measures as the company aims to expand its spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure in 2025. Over the past year, Google has faced challenges in maintaining workforce morale due to multiple rounds of layoffs and other controversies, which have pressured employees regarding job stability. The petition articulates serious concerns among the employees regarding the ongoing layoffs and the impact they pose on their ability to produce high-quality work. They emphasize that, despite the company’s strong financial performance, the recurrent layoffs without adequate explanations have heightened feelings of insecurity. In their petition, the signatories requested Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai to offer voluntary buyouts prior to layoffs, guarantee severance packages, and refrain from using performance reviews as a tool to terminate employees. They highlighted the emotional toll these procedures have on their morale and productivity. Furthering the agitation, employees reiterated that their performance should not be manipulated through low-rating tactics, particularly in light of the impending results of Google’s annual performance review process, known as Google Reviews and Development (GRAD). The executives maintained that there is no forced rating distribution in the GRAD assessment, which would suggest that all employees are evaluated on an individual basis. However, the lack of transparency regarding the implications of these performance reviews and how they relate to potential layoffs has left workers feeling anxious. As the company continues to navigate these challenges, employees' push for more clarity and stability marks a significant instance of dissent within the workforce. This situation underscores the need for corporate accountability, especially in an organization as influential as Google, and draws attention to the broader trends of job insecurity in the tech industry, which is adapting and evolving amidst economic uncertainties and rapid changes.