Google Walkout: Googlers Protesting Company’s Handling of Sexual Harassment

960
SHARE
Google Walkout
Credits: Google Walkout for Real Change/Shenaz Zack/Twitter

Google employees worldwide are holding a series of walkouts to protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment.

The organizers of the protest set the walkouts at around 11:00 a.m. at each local time in more than 20 Google offices around the world. The rally was prompted by a New York Times article disclosing the tech giant’s history of protecting executives accused of sexual misconduct.

According to the article, Andy Rubin, the creator of Android mobile operating system, was one of the executives accused of sexual harassment. Good investigated the matter and found that allegations against Rubin were credible. Instead of firing Rubin, then Google CEO Larry Page asked him to resign. The company gave him a $90 million exit package, which was paid in installments.

Google employees demand changes

In an op-ed, the organizers of the walkouts stated that they are protesting with thousands of Google employees to demand changes.

According to them, “All employees and contract workers across the company deserve to be safe. Sadly, the executive team has demonstrated through their lack of meaningful action that our safety is not a priority…. We demand an end to the sexual harassment, discrimination, and the systemic racism that fuel this destructive culture.”