Google steps in on workplace harassment

Google on Thursday (Friday in Manila) outlined changes to its handling of sexual misconduct complaints, hoping to calm outrage that triggered a worldwide walkout of workers last week.

“We recognize that we have not always gotten everything right in the past and we are sincerely sorry for that,” chief executive Sundar Pichai said in a message to employees, a copy of which

“It’s clear we need some changes.”

Arbitration of harassment claims will be optional instead of obligatory, according to Pichai, a move that could end anonymous settlements that fail to identify those accused of harassment.

to make

dentiality in the arbitration process and it still may be the best path for a number of reasons (e.g. personal privacy, predictability of process), but, we recognize that the choice should be up to you,” he said in the memo.

Pichai promised that Google will be more transparent with how concerns are handled, and provide better support and care to those who raise such issues with the company.

Google will provide “more granu larity,” regarding sexual harassment investigations and their outcomes, according to Pichai.

A section of an internal “Investi gations Report” will focus on sexual harassment to show numbers of sub stantiated concerns as well as trends and disciplinary actions, according

He also said Google is consolidat ing the complaint system and that the process for handling concerns will include providing support people and counselors.

Google will update its mandatory sexual harassment training, and re quire it annually instead of every two years as had been the case.

Less booze

Google is also putting the onus on team leaders to tighten the tap on booze at company events, on or off campus, to curtail the potential for drunken misbehavior.

“Harassment is never accept able and alcohol is never an ex cuse,” Google said in a released action statement.

“But, one of the most common factors among the harassment com plaints made today at Google is that the perpetrator had been drinking.”

Google policy already bans exces sive consumption of alcohol on the job; while on company business, or

Some teams at the company have

events or use ticket systems, Google said.

Google executives overseeing events will be expected to strongly discourage excessive drinking, ac cording to the company, which vowed “onerous actions” if prob lems persisted.

The company also promised to “recommit” to improving workplace diversity through hiring, retention, and career advancement.’

Thousands of Google employ ees joined a coordinated world wide walkout a week ago to pro test the US tech giant’s handling of sexual harassment.

A massive turnout at the “Google

stage of a global walkout that began

in Europe.

Some 20,000 Google employees and contractors participated in the protest in 50 cities around the world, according to organizers.

Demma Rodriguez, head of equity

employee, said during the walkout that it was an important part of bringing fair ness to the technology colossus.

“We have an aspiration to be the best company in the world,” Rodri guez said.

“But we also have goals as a com pany and we can’t decide we are going to miss those.”