Comment by DoreenMichele
7 years ago
I don't understand this at all.
Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has told staff he supports their right to take the action.
"I understand the anger and disappointment that many of you feel," he said in an all-staff email. "I feel it as well, and I am fully committed to making progress on an issue that has persisted for far too long in our society… and, yes, here at Google, too."
If someone at the top is sincerely interested in resolving this satisfactorily, why the walk-out? I don't get it.
Are they saying they don't really believe him?
Right words are one thing (and welcome). Right actions are another thing (also welcome).
disclosure: Google employee
Yes. He can put actions behind his words, or his reply is just hot air.
Plus, by endorsing it as a Google-sanctioned event, he's effectively taking power away from those walking out from disrupting normal business as usual (e.g., allowing managers to reschedule meetings).
source/disclosure: am google employee, didn't walk though
The way it's organized, it's also kind of a social event. Lot of folks didn't just walk out, but went to B40 to specifically walk out there.
They probably saw it as an opportunity to meet others and share thoughts on the topic. Find solidarity and get support
To make this the top priority for the day. You may as well ask why people negotiate anything if everyone has such good intentions.
Words are cheap.
and so are walkouts
are they? I'm sure someone could put a dollar figure on the productivity lost to Google by this action.
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So is grandstanding by people with well paid, cushy as hell jobs who are happy to point fingers.
My mother always told me "When you point a finger at others, you have three fingers pointing back at you." What are these people personally doing to ensure that they are respecting women, creating the right kind of social climate at work, etc?
Because all the policy in the world can't per se fix a shitty culture. Shitty culture is as shitty culture does and it is perpetuated by every single individual in the organization and their individual choices.
I'm not impressed with people who point fingers. They are usually people wanting someone else to fix a problem so they don't have to actually change.
> What are these people personally doing to ensure that they are respecting women, creating the right kind of social climate at work, etc?
Part of the reason to go to the walkout was to find out what to do. People didn't just stand there doing nothing. They listened to women speak about their experiences and ask for specific, concrete actions from attendees that would lead to less sexual harassment, bias, and associated garbage.
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> What are these people personally doing to ensure that they are respecting women, creating the right kind of social climate at work, etc?
By handling interactions I have with women at work cognizant of the many ways in which their experience in the workplace differs from mine.
Also, I think about my daughter, and how I'd want her to be treated if she worked here.
> They are usually people wanting someone else to fix a problem so they don't have to actually change.
I can't personally fix the problem of (IMO wrong) decisions made by management on these issues. But I can help increase the pressure (public and internal) on them to make concrete changes.
What? You asked, essentially, "why would they walking out if their CEO supports their cause?"
Although I thought the answer was a bit obvious, I answered... Words are cheap and the employees want to see action.
Your response is to talk about pointing fingers? I don't understand your point.
What do you have against Google employees making demands of their managers?
My mother always told me "When you point a finger at others, you have three fingers pointing back at you."
I'm pretty sure employees know that fingers are being pointed at them. Employees are constantly evaluated, and management places expectations on them (both work related and cultural) that those employees must meet, at penalty of termination.
It seems like you're questioning the idea that the fingers should point both ways... by saying that the fingers point both ways.
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That escalated quickly, to the extent that it reflects poorly on your original question.
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