Google workers stage global protest over sexual misconduct claims

Google staff across the world are staging a series of walkouts on Thursday, in protest of how women are treated at the tech giant.

The unprecedented action was prompted by reports Google has given senior executive Andy Rubin a $90m severance package but concealed details of the “credible” sexual misconduct claim which triggered his departure.

Rubin, the creator of the Android mobile software, denies the allegation.

Employees involved in the protests are demanding changes to how sexual misconduct is dealt with at the US company, including ending the practice of forced arbitration. A common employment clause in all Silicon Valley firms, forced arbitration prevents workers from launching legal claims by insisting grievances are dealt with internally.

The protesting workers are also demanding a publicly disclosed sexual harassment transparency report; a global uniform process for reporting sexual misconduct; the elevation of a chief diversity officer to answer directly to the chief executive; equal pay; and an employee representative on the board.

In an email to all staff earlier in the week, chief executive Sundar Pichai said he supported the right of staff to take the action, adding: “I understand the anger and disappointment that many of you feel.

“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.”