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November 1, 2018, Google employees around the world walked out in protest of how the company was handling its sexual misconduct cases. The situation gaining international attention is that of Andy Rubin, who was fired in 2014. He reportedly given a “$90m pay out after he left the firm, despite what Google considered a ‘credible’ allegation of sexual misconduct made against him,” according to BBC.
The walkout started at 11:00 am all around the globe, with some workers even leaving notes on their desks explaining their choice. The workers made a list of demands that include pay and opportunity equality, a clearer process for reporting sexual misconduct (safely and anonymously), and four other demands that the company has already commented on. Sundar Pichai, Google’s chief executive, made a statement saying that the company is "taking in all their feedback so we can turn these ideas into action." He also sent out a mass email to all Google employees where he said, “In the last two years, 48 people have been terminated for sexual harassment…We support and respect those who have spoken out.”
There are sure to be some changes made in Google's near future. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, could face “recruiting and retention challenges” if the demands go unaddressed, according to The New York Times.