How Google’s new hybrid work policy became a ‘meme’ internally – Times of India

Google, last week, updated its hybrid three-day-a-week office policy in which it said that office attendance will be considered a factor in employee performance reviews. It seems that the decision has not gone down well with some employees.
Citing discussions with some employees, a report by CNBC noted that staffers posted memes on an internal platform called Memegen.This is the same platform on which Googlers criticised CEOSundar Pichai for “rushed,” “botched” and “un-Googley” Google Bard announcement.
“If you cannot attend the office today, your parents should submit an absence request,” said a top-rated meme, which also showed a photoshopped image of HR head Fiona Cicconi in front of a school chalkboard. “Check my work, not my badge,” another highly-rated meme said. What are the new work-from-office rules?
Google’s updated hybrid three-day-a-week office policy now includes badge tracking. The company also said it will “consider new remote work requests by exception only.”
The employees who already have got approval to work remotely may be subjected to re-evaluation if the company determines “material changes in business need, role, team, structure or location.”
Employees who have moved out to different cities and cities are reportedly concerned with this decision.
“For those who are remote and who live near a Google office, we hope you’ll consider switching to a hybrid work schedule. Our offices are where you’ll be most connected to Google’s community,” Cicconi reportedly said in an email to employees last week. Earlier this year, Google also announced that employees will also have to share desks.

Google to keep track of managers
Ryan Lamont, a Google spokesperson, said in an email that the badge data collected is “aggregated” for company leaders.
“Now that we’ve fully transitioned to the hybrid work week, company leaders can see reports showing how their teams are adopting the hybrid work model,” Lamont was quoted as saying.
CNBC also cited an internal document that will indicate how group leaders will learn who hasn’t been in the office frequently enough.
“Managers of non-remote Googlers who have been consistently absent from the office will be cc’ed on emails to these Googlers (subject to local requirements), so they can support Googlers in either ramping back to the office or exploring other flexibility options,” the document read.
Lamont reportedly said Google’s three-day policy has been in place for over a year and is now being updated.