Google employees around the world are walking out in solidarity to protest how the company has handled sexual harassment and misconduct. Staring in Google offices across Asia, the walkout resonates the feeling that Google has handled sexual misconduct cases improperly in the eyes of its employees.
This is the latest expression of backlash against harassment and the use of power to subject subordinates to unwanted sexual advances. that's swept the enterainment industry and is now rippling through other industries. Silicon Valley is mostly male dominated and is said to foster risque behaviour many are likening to college fraternities. Google employees are capturing the proceedings on social media using the #GoogleWalkout hashtag.
Recent high-profile misconduct cases at Google, one involving former Android head Andy Rubin (who was let go but given a large payout by the company) have brought wider scrutiny in the corporate culture at Google and Silicon Valley.
The walkout involves thousands of Google employees who are also demanding the following from Google management.
- An end to forced arbitration in cases of harassment and discrimination.
- A commitment to end pay and opportunity inequity.
- A publicly disclosed sexual harassment transparency report.
- A clear, uniform, globally inclusive process for reporting sexual misconduct safely and anonymously.
- Elevate the chief diversity officer to answer directly to the chief executive officer and make recommendations directly to the board of directors. And appoint an employee representative to the board.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently disclosed that 48 employees were fired due to sexual harassment in the past two years alone.
Source: TechCrunch