Last week, Google announced significant changes to its well-known employee perks and benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the company, its global employees ‘Googlers’ will enjoy fewer free snacks and workout classes, in addition to changes to several other popular benefits.
While it may be disappointing news for the legions of Googlers used to living the life of luxury inside the tech giant’s corporate office walls, the changes are necessary to help the company weather the economic storm of the pandemic. Google had already paused non-essential spending earlier this year, and this new suite of benefit changes is its latest attempt to help make ends meet.
In addition to fewer free snacks and workout classes, Google’s new initiatives for the foreseeable future include cutting fully funded meals for employees who don’t have access to an on-site canteen, and a third week of unpaid leave for many permanent full-time workers. Those on parental leave will still have their wages and benefits fully covered, but Googlers with existing vacations will have to make do with less lavish vacation expenses.
Such cuts have been seen within Google’s Silicon Valley rivals recently too. While Apple continues to provide free food and other generous benefits to its employees, it has also cut back on its hiring goals and is only offering job guarantees up to 2021. Even tech giant Microsoft has implemented similar measures, with its CEO Satya Nadella cutting back on non-essential spending and outlining several cost-saving measures.
Unfortunately, in light of the pandemic and its global economic impacts, all of the above measures are necessary to help protect the health of Google and its employees in the long run. While some Googlers may be upset with the decreased number of free snacks or workout classes, it’s worth remembering that these sacrifices are necessary to help keep the tech giant afloat during these difficult times.
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