Google, one of the world’s leading technology companies, is facing backlash from its employees over reduced compensation packages for 2025.
Despite the company’s strong financial performance, many employees have expressed dissatisfaction with smaller salary increases and reduced stock grants.
The issue came to light during a recent company-wide meeting, sparking discussions about pay equity, employee morale, and the company’s compensation strategy.
Google Employee Concerns and TGIF Meeting Highlights
The concerns were raised during Google’s monthly TGIF meeting, where employees can submit and vote on questions for leadership.
One of the most popular questions revolved around why some employees received reduced stock grants and lower overall compensation despite Google’s robust financial results.
Employees, particularly those in non-technical roles, voiced frustration over pay increases that did not align with the company’s performance.
John Casey, Google’s Vice President for Global Compensation and Benefits, addressed these concerns during the meeting.
He stated that over 80% of employees received a year-on-year increase in their 2025 compensation.
However, he acknowledged that employees in less technical roles or specific regions received smaller equity packages.
This adjustment, he explained, was part of Google’s efforts to align salaries with local market conditions.
Google Compensation Structure and Salary Hike Trends
Google’s compensation packages typically include a base salary, equity awards, and performance-based bonuses.
The total pay often varies depending on individual performance, with high-performing employees receiving higher compensation.
John emphasized that Google’s pay structure is designed to reward employees who make significant contributions to the company’s success.
This is not the first time Google employees have faced pay reductions. In 2024, similar concerns were raised regarding compensation changes.
A company spokesperson confirmed that the 2025 compensation cycle followed a similar pattern, with salary adjustments based on industry trends and geographic market competition.
Broader Implications and Employee Sentiment
The dissatisfaction among employees is reflective of a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are grappling with employee retention and pay equity.
Google’s annual ‘Googlegeist’ survey revealed that only 53% of employees considered their pay to be competitive, marking a drop from the previous year.
Additionally, 56% of employees believed their compensation was fair and equitable, highlighting growing concerns about pay equity within the company.
The controversy comes just months after Google merged its Pixel hardware and Android software teams in April 2024.
Following the merger, the company introduced a voluntary exit program for employees in the Platforms & Devices department.
This program offered severance packages to employees who chose to leave their positions, signaling a shift in Google’s workforce strategy.
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