Undoubtedly, working from home brings about an array of advantages. After all, what better way to carry on with your usual routine than through the comfort of your home right?
While that might be the case, it’s usually not the same playing field for all members in an organization such as Google.
A new report is shedding light on how Google’s benefits of working from home differ drastically from those of the firm’s contractors. Moreover, another alarming feature worth a glance at is how the majority of the company’s workforce comprises contractors instead of its usual employees. And that’s why there’s an outcry for change.
While we’re not quite sure what the ratio of contractors versus employees really is, considering the fact that the tech giant has never really shed light upon its figures in public, what we do know is that a new report is highlighting the mismatch for obvious reasons.
Contractors not only fail to get the same privileges as regular employees, but the same is also true when it comes down to remote working options. And in case they do ask for such an option, they’re boldly informed to begin searching for jobs in other places.
But why the sudden urge for change? Why is the issue being looked at now? Well, we’ve got a recent report by Bloomberg to that for that as the media outlet has come forward and highlighted the situation.
Additionally, we’ve got members working for Google Maps in the area of Seattle also raising their concerns over the matter. And that’s because labor vendors hailing from the tech giant have now informed contractors that they need to get back to the office space by June 6.
There is zero consideration being given out to their health or the increasing expenses of commuting. Strikingly, the report even spoke about how one case had been denied, involving a worker that underwent four lung operations. He was fearful of getting the COVID-19 infection. Yet, he was refused any exemption from working from home.
And to add to his misery, the HR department informed him that if these working conditions don’t work out, then he should be looking for other job opportunities.
But that’s just one of the hundreds of cases. Many other contractors are laying out their cases while quite a few of them have even united and begun a petition so their concerns get addressed in an adequate manner.
Other than inflation, workers cited other obvious reasons like health care, commuting, and even increased expenses relating to childcare. Some even boldly confirmed how they won’t be able to work in the office space any longer due to these costs altogether.
Interestingly, some contractors have highlighted how their policy does mention that when it’s time to return to the office, there is one option that speaks about working remotely but that has some terms and conditions. This includes how the option varies for different contractors depending on their tasks as well as a client’s requirements.
Google doesn’t seem to be feeling the heat from there alone. The Alphabet Union for Workers is also taking the situation into their own hands, demanding the search engine giant improve contractor payments. They also hope it can handle their matters with more seriousness.
But the problem lies in Google not officially recognizing any such union so the real question at the end of it all is whether or not this can bring any change.
Remember, Google isn’t the only firm that’s urging its workforce to get back into the office. For months, we’ve seen the firm postpone the hybrid model for working for quite a few months. We’re talking since last year.
Whatever the case may be, there’s definitely more flexibility being given to employees who are also better at negotiations than the rest.
Read next: Google Is Planning To Improve Your Sleep Pattern With Features That Detect Snores And Coughs For Android Users
While that might be the case, it’s usually not the same playing field for all members in an organization such as Google.
A new report is shedding light on how Google’s benefits of working from home differ drastically from those of the firm’s contractors. Moreover, another alarming feature worth a glance at is how the majority of the company’s workforce comprises contractors instead of its usual employees. And that’s why there’s an outcry for change.
While we’re not quite sure what the ratio of contractors versus employees really is, considering the fact that the tech giant has never really shed light upon its figures in public, what we do know is that a new report is highlighting the mismatch for obvious reasons.
Contractors not only fail to get the same privileges as regular employees, but the same is also true when it comes down to remote working options. And in case they do ask for such an option, they’re boldly informed to begin searching for jobs in other places.
But why the sudden urge for change? Why is the issue being looked at now? Well, we’ve got a recent report by Bloomberg to that for that as the media outlet has come forward and highlighted the situation.
Additionally, we’ve got members working for Google Maps in the area of Seattle also raising their concerns over the matter. And that’s because labor vendors hailing from the tech giant have now informed contractors that they need to get back to the office space by June 6.
There is zero consideration being given out to their health or the increasing expenses of commuting. Strikingly, the report even spoke about how one case had been denied, involving a worker that underwent four lung operations. He was fearful of getting the COVID-19 infection. Yet, he was refused any exemption from working from home.
And to add to his misery, the HR department informed him that if these working conditions don’t work out, then he should be looking for other job opportunities.
But that’s just one of the hundreds of cases. Many other contractors are laying out their cases while quite a few of them have even united and begun a petition so their concerns get addressed in an adequate manner.
Other than inflation, workers cited other obvious reasons like health care, commuting, and even increased expenses relating to childcare. Some even boldly confirmed how they won’t be able to work in the office space any longer due to these costs altogether.
Interestingly, some contractors have highlighted how their policy does mention that when it’s time to return to the office, there is one option that speaks about working remotely but that has some terms and conditions. This includes how the option varies for different contractors depending on their tasks as well as a client’s requirements.
Google doesn’t seem to be feeling the heat from there alone. The Alphabet Union for Workers is also taking the situation into their own hands, demanding the search engine giant improve contractor payments. They also hope it can handle their matters with more seriousness.
But the problem lies in Google not officially recognizing any such union so the real question at the end of it all is whether or not this can bring any change.
Remember, Google isn’t the only firm that’s urging its workforce to get back into the office. For months, we’ve seen the firm postpone the hybrid model for working for quite a few months. We’re talking since last year.
Whatever the case may be, there’s definitely more flexibility being given to employees who are also better at negotiations than the rest.
Read next: Google Is Planning To Improve Your Sleep Pattern With Features That Detect Snores And Coughs For Android Users
