Google to implement its new desk sharing strategy next quarter

Per CNBC

Google is trying to find new ways to make the use of its real estate more "efficient", and this includes its new desk-sharing strategy, where employees would share desks and alternate days with other desk-mates. The strategy will start next quarter for five of its largest locations.

The company specifically asked its cloud employees and partners to participate in this new strategy. Google's explanation as to why they plan to follow this strategy is so that it can continue investing in the growth of its Cloud.

A document viewed by CNBC and shared by cloud employees noted that the employees would have to agree on a basic desk setup and others for the new shared environment. It was also revealed that most managers must share their desks with another employee.

“Through the matching process, they will agree on a basic desk setup and establish norms with their desk partner and teams to ensure a positive experience in the new shared environment.”

Per the FAQs of the document, internal data was reportedly used to find to make informed decisions. This comes at a time when Google let go of 11,000 employees in January and has also slowed down its hiring process.

A Google spokesperson explained the move, sharing that their data shows that Cloud employees found in-person collaboration to be important. The reaction it received, however, was that Google was just trying to cut office space to reduce costs.

Google spokesperson: "Our data show Cloud Googlers value guaranteed in-person collaboration when they are in the office, as well as the option to work from home a few days each week."

Another move by Google to further its savings was to push the schedule of the 20% of its employee-year-end bonus to March. This comes as part of the company's decision to roll out employee-year-end bonuses by March going forward.

The company also felt the pressure of Microsoft utilizing ChatGPT with plans of adding it to Bing. Google says it will start reporting AI investments in Q1 of this year.

See flow at unusualwhales.com/flow.

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