The dark side of working for Google

Google prides itself on being one of the world’s best companies to work for but many ex-Google employees have revealed their disappointment in what they found in the ‘promised land’.

Last year, Google emailed a number of ex-employees asking them the reasons they decided to quit. Their private, brutally honest replies have been leaked to the TechCrunch blog website. The emails revealed that Google faces the usual complaints from workers such as too many hours, incompetent managers, low pay, a lack of fringe benefits and a hiring process which keeps people in limbo for many months. Some workers left to get more money elsewhere having gained the kudos of having Google on their resumes. Others left because they thought their managers were “jerks” whilst one worker said Google left her exhausted and stressed. Many were bitter about the hiring process since it took months to complete. Larry Page, Google’s co-founder still reviews the resumes of all prospective employees. On the recruitment front a Google spokesman told The Times: “We believe it’s worth it. If you hire great people and involve them intensively in the hiring process, you’ll get more great people.” Dan, a former employee wrote: “Google is supposed to be some kind of Nirvana, so if you can’t be happy there how will you ever be happy?” “The truth is that Google can be a really horrible place to work if you run up against its shortcomings.” These complaints are contrary to Google’s public image. They were named Best Company to Work For in the US by Fortune magazine and UK’s best workplace by the Great Places to Work Institute. Google’s ‘quirky’ offices are legendary for their perks. In plush London offices there is a games room, a Yoga studio and Google workers are given free massages every month. In Zurich, Google workers hold meetings in “artic pods” and use fireman’s pole to move between floors. However, lately Google is starting to lose some of its shine. Last week, Google cut 100 jobs worldwide – the first direct cuts in its 11-year history.