As layoffs persist, Google employees in Canada and the US have started a petition for job stability and have asked CEO Sundar Pichai for more openness. The petition, titled “Job Security,” reveals the increasing worry about the company policies on the employees as the ruthless cost-cutting continues unabated.
More than 1,250 employees have signed the petition and are calling upon leadership to provide stability amid uncertainty.
“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,” the petition states.
Employees contend that it is not only superfluous but also unjust for Google management to carry out these layoffs when the company is in reasonably good financial health.
“Ongoing rounds of layoffs make us feel insecure about our jobs. The company is clearly in a strong financial position, making the loss of so many valuable colleagues without explanation hurt even more,” the petition reads.
The backlash comes as Google is shifting towards artificial intelligence (AI) with hopes of leveraging AI to cut down costs. New Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Anat Ashkenazi has stated that expenses are expected to shrink in 2025, especially as the company invests highly in AI infrastructure. However, employees are still in the blank about how they expect to achieve these reductions in expenditure. However, she has not disclosed specific cost-cutting plans, leaving employees uncertain about further layoffs.
Google Employees’ Demands
Through the petition, employees have urged Pichai to:
- Offer voluntary buyouts before initiating layoffs.
- Guarantee severance pay for affected workers.
- Avoid using performance reviews as a pretext for layoffs.
Employees are concerned that low-performance ratings are being manipulated to justify dismissals. However, Google has denied the allegations, arguing that reviews are conducted at an individual level, taking into account one’s position and expectations.
The petition underscores increasing pressure within Google’s workforce as employees seek greater transparency and job security. As the company directs its AI-driven future, the response from leadership remains to be seen.
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