Google Employees Face Retaliation for Reporting Harassment

Google is under fire due to a released document containing reports of retaliation against its employees. The internal document included reports from dozens of workers who received punitive action from reporting incidents in the workplace. Some of the claims included demotions and being placed in less desirable projects.

The recent reports of retaliation come after Google’s #MeToo walkout last November. Over 20,000 Google employees participated in the protest due to reports of the company paying over $100 million to hide sexual harassment accusations against its executives. After the protest, Google promised that it would take sexual misconduct cases more seriously going forward. However, this promise is a stark contrast to the current events surrounding Google.

Current employees claimed that the company has a long way before fulfilling its promise. Many workers claim that Google continues to hide valid concerns, including reports of sexual harassment and even security issues. This concealment is further worsened when the situation involves a company executive.

Google Employee Accounts of Retaliation

Unfortunately, there are various accounts of retaliation at Google. One of the reports included two employees who helped organize the #MeToo walkout. They claimed that they received punishment for their participation in the protest and eventually left Google. There are other accounts, however, including a woman who claimed she was pushed out of her role at Google. This occurred after having a child due to an affair with a chief legal officer. The woman received discrimination for taking maternity leave and was forced to leave her role due to a strict company policy involving extramarital affairs. The report included retaliation from workers reporting discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other unethical workplace behaviors. These personal accounts are just a few of the many reports of retaliation.

What is Retaliation?

Retaliation occurs when an employer takes punitive action against a worker for legally protected behavior. This often includes punishing workers who reported an incident in the workplace, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination. Retaliation might also occur if an employee gives a witness account in a workplace investigation.

Common forms of retaliation include:

• Demoting or firing an employee
• Reducing an employee’s salary
• Receiving lower performance reviews than deserved
• Exclusion from important projects
• Reassigning an employee

It is important to know the signs of retaliation to seek legal counsel. Those affected by employer retaliation are encouraged to talk to an employment lawyer.

Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Advocate for Those Facing Retaliation in the Workplace

If you or a loved one faced retaliation for reporting a workplace incident, please consider contacting a Cherry Hill employment lawyer at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Our lawyers work tirelessly to obtain justice for retaliation victims. If you are interested in speaking to an employment lawyer, contact us online or call us at 215-569-1999 for a free consultation. With an office located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Haddonfield, Marlton, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel.