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Bulletins

Google employees don't think their pay is competitive

Google's internal “Googlegeist” survey found that workers are increasingly unhappy with pay and and promotions.

Google

Google's annual survey results were released to employees last week.

Image: Protocol

Many Google employees don’t see their pay packages as fair or competitive, according to an annual worker survey of the company that was obtained by CNBC.

Google’s “Googlegeist” survey, which was released to employees last week, found that compensation, promotions and an ability to meet career goals were among the top concerns for workers. Employees were largely happy with the company’s ability to carry out its mission and values.

A Google executive said employees receive top compensation. But according to the survey results, the percentage of employees who think their compensation is competitive, the percentage who think their pay is “fair and equitable” and the percentage who say their performance is reflected in their pay all dropped from the previous year. Less than half of workers said their compensation is competitive compared to similar jobs elsewhere, down 12 points from the prior year.

A survey released earlier this month found that part of the reason workers are quitting en masse is because of pay dissatisfaction. Still, Google executives announced late last year they wouldn’t raise pay to match inflation even as its revenue continued to rise.

“We know that our employees have many choices about where they work, so we ensure they are very well compensated,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement. “That’s why we’ve always provided top of market compensation across salary, equity, leave and a suite of benefits.”

CEO Sundar Pichai received a favorable rating of 86%, while about three-quarters of workers said Pichai inspires them.

Pichai said Google's annual survey is “one of the most important ways” the company measures employee satisfaction. Other large tech companies survey their workers through surveys, too: Meta conducts a semi-annual “Pulse Survey,” and Microsoft workers take an annual companywide poll.

Google is preparing to bring workers back to the office by April 4. Workers are expected to be in the office at least three days a week.
Sarah Roach

Sarah (Sarahroach_) writes for Source Code at Protocol. She's based in Boston and can be reached at sroach@protocol.com

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Bulletins