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(Googler, opinions are my own) I don't think Google has really justified why the return to the office is necessary for all employees, beyond saying that it's a

(Googler, opinions are my own) I don't think Google has really justified why the return to the office is necessary for all employees, beyond saying that it's a key part of the culture. Obviously the office is a part of the culture, and most employees want to be in the office at least some of the time. But to me, that doesn't explain why you can't offer a remote option for the employees who want it. A charitable explanation might be what we've heard from execs: we don't want to rush to go remote, we'd like to dip our toes in and slowly explore broader options. Thus the hybrid 3/2 model. A less charitable explanation might be that Google has spent a lot of money on real estate. Or simply that leadership is out of touch and can't relate to the reasons why employees might want to be remote. I imagine it's a mix of both types of explanations.

frongpik 6y ago
Or even simpler: execs own super expensive real estate in the tech hubs and the only thing that supports the prices is the hoards of employees that have to live in the area.
- wu_187 6y ago
  This is the true answer. A lot of people have moved into far away (cheaper) bedroom communities to save money. Also Google themselves would have a huge issue justifying their own real estate if people aren't in it "post covid". They are a publicly traded company so they would be forced to sell it off to appease investors. All in all I think Google has shown it's true colors here. They don't have a damn about their employees. This reeks of boomer micromanaging 101. I think that to fight this stockholders should push Alphabet to sell of their properties now. Should do the same with Amazon as well.
  - DataJunkie 6y ago
    > All in all I think Google has shown it's true colors here. They don't have a damn about their employees. That's exactly how I feel.
doktorhladnjak 6y ago
Google has some of the best offices in the world. They’ve built up these offices as a clear differentiator from their talent competitors. It’s lead to many companies offering free lunch and other perks tied to their physical space. Giving it up would mean changing the culture and the value prop of working there. I can’t say I’m surprised they don’t want to do that.
- disgruntledphd2 6y ago
  Yeah, I do agree. It's odd that FB are doing so differently from them, though. When I worked in a FAANG, they had lots of issues with senior level engineer retention. Generally loads of people left when they wanted to start a family. I guess FB must have seen the same thing, hence full remote for senior engineers. It's odd that Google haven't experienced this issue.
- wu_187 6y ago
  Sadly that culture changed long ago. Even prior to covid a lot of companies were downscaling their perks as they offshored jobs to Asia, thanks to our previous administration.
  - qPM9l3XJrF 6y ago
    Can you give specific instances of this happening? I feel like offshoring tech jobs has been the bogeyman that has never delivered in our industry for a really long time.

frongpik 6y ago

Or even simpler: execs own super expensive real estate in the tech hubs and the only thing that supports the prices is the hoards of employees that have to live in the area.

wu_187 6y ago
This is the true answer. A lot of people have moved into far away (cheaper) bedroom communities to save money. Also Google themselves would have a huge issue justifying their own real estate if people aren't in it "post covid". They are a publicly traded company so they would be forced to sell it off to appease investors. All in all I think Google has shown it's true colors here. They don't have a damn about their employees. This reeks of boomer micromanaging 101. I think that to fight this stockholders should push Alphabet to sell of their properties now. Should do the same with Amazon as well.
- DataJunkie 6y ago
  > All in all I think Google has shown it's true colors here. They don't have a damn about their employees. That's exactly how I feel.

doktorhladnjak 6y ago

Google has some of the best offices in the world. They’ve built up these offices as a clear differentiator from their talent competitors. It’s lead to many companies offering free lunch and other perks tied to their physical space. Giving it up would mean changing the culture and the value prop of working there. I can’t say I’m surprised they don’t want to do that.

disgruntledphd2 6y ago
Yeah, I do agree. It's odd that FB are doing so differently from them, though. When I worked in a FAANG, they had lots of issues with senior level engineer retention. Generally loads of people left when they wanted to start a family. I guess FB must have seen the same thing, hence full remote for senior engineers. It's odd that Google haven't experienced this issue.
wu_187 6y ago
Sadly that culture changed long ago. Even prior to covid a lot of companies were downscaling their perks as they offshored jobs to Asia, thanks to our previous administration.
- qPM9l3XJrF 6y ago
  Can you give specific instances of this happening? I feel like offshoring tech jobs has been the bogeyman that has never delivered in our industry for a really long time.