What We Learn from Updated Google Workplace Policies

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Google has come under tremendous fire in the past for numerous reasons such as its ideological echo chamber which involved firing James Damore for having opinions not condoned by the organization.

A leaked video showed what many call a hostile workplace environment at the company if anyone does not agree with management.

The company then covered up sexual misconduct. It’s employees protested when the company wanted to help the military of the U.S. and it agreed to stop. All the while, helping China which by definition means its military.

They faced an employee backlash and walk out as a result of sexual harassment issues and then reportedly punished the walkout organizers.

In order to improve, the company has updated its workplace policies.

Melonie Parker, Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion said in a blog post that things are about to prove. Specifically:

  • We’ve simplified and clarified the way employees can raise concerns by bringing multiple channels together on a new dedicated site. We’re also providing a similar site for our temp and vendor workforce, which will be completed by June.
  • We just published (internally) our Investigations Report, the fifth annual summary of employee-related misconduct investigations, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, with an expanded section on sexual harassment investigations.
  • After a four-month pilot, we’re expanding our Support Person Program so that Googlers can bring a colleague to harassment and discrimination investigations.
  • We’re rolling out a new Investigations Care Program to provide better care to Googlers during and after an investigation.
  • We’re sharing a new Investigations Practice Guide outlining how concerns are handled within Employee Relations to explain what employees can expect during the investigations process.
  • We are publicly sharing our workplace policies—including our very clear policies on harassment, discrimination, retaliation, standards of conduct, and workplace conduct.

These are all positive steps and good news. There is farther to go but every journey… You know.

Employees and shareholders should be happier – we’ll see how the implementation goes in the coming months.

As you may know, workplace culture and diversity has been a key area of focus of my company TMC. We have been awarding top companies in the space by evaluating them through a thorough vetting and application process.

Coincidentally, The call for applications for the 2019 TMCnet Workplace Excellence Award for Tech Culture is now open!

You have a short time to apply – good luck!

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