Leaked memo: Googlers will have more free time in ‘extraordinary’ mid-2020

• Google is giving employees more days off and a week without meetings during the vacation period.
• This is the latest initiative from executives to help reduce burnout for Googlers, who will be working from home until at least mid-2021.
• In a note to employees obtained by Business Insider, CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged the “extraordinary circumstances” of 2020.
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As googlers continue to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is finding ways to reduce employee burnout.

This week, Google told employees they would get two extra days off and a “no-meeting” week during the vacation period, according to a note from CEO Sundar Pichai sent Wednesday and obtained by Business Insider.

In the note, Pichai acknowledged the “extraordinary circumstances” of 2020.

“I appreciate all the ways you have helped our users, customers, partners and communities during this time – and I want to make sure that you also take time for yourself,” the CEO wrote.

Googlers will benefit from December 18 and January 4, and the company will be implementing a non-meeting week from December 28 to January 1.

A Google spokesperson confirmed the contents of the memo and said the company was providing employees with means to “reset and recharge,” which includes access to counseling and mental health resources.

However, the days off only apply to full-time employees and interns and do not apply to Google’s large interim staff, suppliers and contractors, who often do not receive the standard benefits of Google. the company.

With employees working remotely, Google has increased the number of holidays and non-meetings this year. Employees were given an extra day off before Labor Day for “collective well-being,” while Fridays without meetings have become more common in recent months, according to insiders.

In the memo sent out this week, Pichai encouraged Googlers to “take the time you need to take care of yourself and your loved ones,” directing employees to some of the company’s internal resources.

Googlers have been told they will work from home until summer 2021. The future beyond is less clear, but Pichai raised the possibility of a “hybrid” work situation where employees will not work. in offices only a few days of the week.

Employees have started pressuring the CEO for clarity on what it will look like. In a recent all-hands, Pichai said he still expected the majority of Googlers to be tied to a physical office in the future and live “a reasonable distance” from it, according to a leak. audio of the discussion obtained by Business Insider.

Meanwhile, despite a brief nod to a difficult year in this week’s memo, Pichai has yet to address the US election results. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged President-elect Biden’s projected victory in a multi-hand match with the employees this week, although he made no public statements.

Here is Pichai’s memo in full:

Hi Googlers,

We are entering the homestretches of 2020 and have already done a lot to be proud of, often under extraordinary circumstances. I appreciate all the ways you have helped our users, customers, partners and communities during this time – and I want to make sure that you take time for yourself as well.

The two global days off we had earlier this year have worked well to help everyone rest and rejuvenate. So we’re scheduling two more to help you switch off around the New Year. The first will take place on Friday, December 18, 2020 and the second on Monday, January 4, 2021. We recognize that these dates will not work for all teams due to business priorities and will fall into non-working days for some Googlers – in these cases, People Operations is working with your leaders on alternative arrangements. You can find more details in the FAQ.

Some of our teams have also run “No Meeting Weeks”, which makes it easier for Googlers to focus on independent work or to disconnect completely and take vacations more easily. We have decided to make December 28, 2020 to January 1, 2021 an official week without meetings across the company. Of course, there will be exceptions for teams struggling to meet tight deadlines, close deals, or support critical infrastructure (please watch your management’s advice). Otherwise, let’s move or cancel all routine, non-critical meetings for this week.

Beyond these times, please continue to take the time you need to take care of yourself and your loved ones. If you’re looking for help, our new Helpful @ Home site created by People Operations, REWS, and CorpEnd is a good place to start.

– Sundar