Google Walkout Protests Sexual Harassment

November 1, 2018 will go down in history as the day that Google employees staged a global walkout to protest sexual harassment. The Google Walkout came on the heels of an investigation published by the New York Times (NYT) in late October. The report focused on executives accused of sexual harassment who received millions of dollars in severance, along with a lack of transparency.

One Google employee stated that the walkout supported anyone that experienced workplace harassment, and protested harassers that received money while being protected from prosecution or making reparations.

The New York Times Investigation

Published in late October, the NYT article spotlighted three Google executives that were accused of sexual misconduct. One of them allegedly forced a female employee to have sex with him, parted ways with Google in 2014, and received $90 million dollars.

The article also claimed that two other company executives were paid off with millions of dollars after being dismissed for sexual misconduct allegations; a fourth accused executive was not fired. In all of these cases, Google did not publicize the harassment or compensation given to the executives.

More recently, another Google executive resigned amidst a sexual harassment accusation. It was reported that he did not receive compensation, and he apologized in a statement to the NYT.

Google Protests Around the Globe

Walkouts took place in California, Tokyo, New York, London, India, and at other Google locations on November 1. Over one thousand male and female employees walked out of the company’s San Francisco offices; one protestor’s sign read, “Happy to quit for $90 million. No sexual harassment required.” One protestor said that oftentimes the abuser is the victim’s supervisor, and speaking out can ruin that employee’s chances of keeping their job or being promoted.

Anonymous stories about workplace sexual harassment at the company were read aloud for others to hear.

Walkout organizers also contributed an op-ed piece to New York Magazine. In it, they demanded that the company’s leaders take specific actions to address the harassment. They mentioned ending forced arbitration for sexual harassment cases, and complete transparency on the cases.

The Company Response

Google’s Chief Executive Officer has shown support for the employee walkout, and stated that he plans to channel the feedback into positive actions. He said that he was aware of the walkout before it took place, and believes that the workers’ ideas can be used to fix company policies and procedures.

Company management also emailed the NYT and claimed that they were “dead serious” about making their workplace inclusive and safe for everyone.

The NYT investigation also said that Google has a sexual harassment policy which states that the guilty party may be terminated; but the policy is not always enforced.

Google is not the only tech company that has faced sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and racial and gender discrimination charges over the past few years. According to the study, the corporate cultures at these companies allows harassment and discrimination to continue.

Middletown Sexual Harassment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Can Handle Your Sexual Harassment Case

Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination can be very traumatic, especially if your company does not support your allegations. Although you may feel hopeless, you are not alone. A Middletown sexual harassment lawyer at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. can provide legal guidance to get you the compensation you deserve.

Call our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500, our Marlton office at 856-985-9800, our Newark office at 973-878-9040, or contact us at 888-396-0736 or online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout New Jersey.