Google recently announced its layoffs which have left many of its employees unhappy and frustrated. Approximately 15,000 employees are affected, with 1,000 already laid off last week. Google has told its employees that those who qualify will receive severance pay and can try to find other jobs within the company. However, if they are unable to find a new position, they will need to leave by April, 2024.
The Alphabet Workers Union, which represents the workers, has criticized Google’s handling of the layoffs and is planning to organize protests to question the company’s decision-making process and communication with its employees. On January 18, 2024, the 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. In contrast, Google defended its actions, saying it was investing responsibly in priorities and opportunities.
One of the laid-off employees, an engineering manager, criticized 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 is facing criticism not just for laying off employees but also for the way in which it is handling the layoffs.
