Google staff around the world staged a walkout today to protest the company’s treatment of women.
Workers left their desks this afternoon to demand that the firm change its approach to sexual misconduct allegations.
They also called for an end to forced arbitration, which would make it possible for victims of sexual misconduct to sue.
Staff in offices in London, Dublin, Zurich, Tokyo, and Berlin are among those taking part in the walkout.
Twitter account Google Walkout For Real Change is documenting the various protests around the world and offering words of support.
According to the account, employees have been leaving flyers at their desks reading:
“I’m not at my desk because I’m walking out with other Googlers and contractors to protest sexual harassment, misconduct, lack of transparency, and a workplace culture that’s not working for everyone.”
Google employees and contractors will be leaving these flyers at their desks tomorrow. #googlewalkout pic.twitter.com/rqFbXzavZQ
— Google Walkout For Real Change (@GoogleWalkout) November 1, 2018
Google Dublin’s demonstration took place between 11am and 12pm.
These demonstrations come after The New York Times reported that a Google executive received a $90m payout after leaving the company following a “credible” allegation of sexual misconduct made against him.
Google said they have fired 48 employees over the past two years due to sexual harassment allegations.
In a statement issued in response to the NYT article, they said they have been taking an “increasingly hard line on appropriate conduct by people in positions of authority.”
