Google (GOOGL) , which its CEO Sundar Pichai heads, recently made significant workplace changes that resulted in bad news for some employees.
In February, Google announced layoffs in its cloud and HR teams in an effort to “operate more efficiently” and “remove layers” in its organization.
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Earlier this month, it also laid off hundreds of employees in its platforms and devices unit. This division, which has about 25,000 full-time employees, is responsible for developing Android, Pixel, Chrome, Fitbit, and other Google devices and applications.
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The move came in January, after the tech giant warned employees in this unit that layoffs were on the way and began offering them buyouts.
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Google makes another harsh move
After recent job cuts, Google has reportedly decided to hop on another controversial trend in corporate America, which is impacting several units within the company.
The company has recently warned its remote employees that they will lose their jobs if they don’t show up to the office three days a week, according to a recent report from CNBC.
One internal memo revealed that employees in Google Technical Services were recently instructed to switch from being fully remote to working a hybrid schedule. The company is offering those employees a one-time paid relocation expense to move within 50 miles of an office location.
Related: Intel sends a tough message to employees amid struggles
Another memo sent to Google’s HR division informed employees that they have until the end of the month to decide if they want to return to working in the office either three days or five days a week. They have until June to return to the office, and if they don’t comply, they will be fired.
Remote employees in that unit who live more than 50 miles away from an office location can remain working from home full time, but if they want a new job at the company, they will have to come into the office on a hybrid schedule.
“In-person collaboration is an important part of how we innovate and solve complex problems,” said a Google spokesperson in a statement to CNBC. “To support this, some teams have asked remote employees that live near an office to return to in-person work three days a week.”
Google is following the lead of its competitors
The move from Google follows in the footsteps of its top competitors in the tech world. In January, Amazon began requiring its employees to return to working in the office five days a week.
In his 2024 annual letter to shareholders, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that working in person “yields better outcomes” for the company.
“Of course, you can invent with everybody remote (and some cultures seem to prefer that),” said Jassy. “However, in my experience, it doesn’t compare to being in the same room. The energy, the pace, the spontaneous brainstorming, the willingness for people to jump in, the way ideas evolve in real time, and the post-meeting iteration is much better when in the same room — and yields better outcomes for our customers and teams.”
More Labor:
- Amazon CEO gives employees a harsh wake-up call
- IBM gives employees a rude awakening with harsh new policy
- Snapchat CEO teaches new employees a strict lesson
Dell CEO Michael Dell also sent a memo to employees in January warning them that starting in March, all staff members who live within an hour away from an office will be required to work in person five days a week.
“The pace of innovation has never been faster, and for us to lead, the speed of our business must continue to accelerate,” said Dell in the memo.
Most recently, Intel announced that starting in the third quarter of this year, employees will be required to work in the office four days a week.
“I know firsthand the power of teamwork, and this action is necessary to reinstill a more collaborative working environment, improving efficiency and boosting innovation,” said Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, when he announced the decision during an earnings call on April 24.
Workers across the country aren’t ready to erase remote work
While companies across the country are scaling back remote work, many employees are still devoted to working from home, citing benefits such as improved work satisfaction, boosts in productivity and financial savings.
According to a recent survey from ResumeBuilder.com, most U.S. workers want to be in the office three days a week or less.
Also, 20% of employees in the survey said that if their company starts cracking down on return-to-office compliance, they are very likely to quit, while 33% said they are somewhat likely to follow suit.
“For many employees, remote work has become a non-negotiable part of their professional lives. As companies attempt to reinstate in-office requirements, there has been pushback from workers. Employers should know job seekers today still have options if they are looking to work remotely,” said Resume Builder’s Chief Career Advisor Stacie Haller in the report.
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