Google to stop offering free snacks, laundry services and other perks to employees to save money

Google has consistently been rated as one of the best workplaces, thanks to the perks it offers to its employees. However, these perks have become quite expensive for the company. As a result, Google has decided to cut down on some of its extravagant expenses. According to reports, Google will reduce or eliminate many of its company-wide perks, including micro kitchens that provide free snacks, laundry services, massages, and company lunches. In addition to this, Google will also slow down its hiring process to save costs.

As per a Business Insider report, Google’s Chief Financial Officer, Ruth Porat, said the company needs to use the funds efficiently to focus on higher-priority work. In a memo sent to Google employees on Friday,which was accessed by Insider, Porat said the company will reduce its hiring pace and reallocate teams to focus on higher-priority work. The memo also stated that the company will discontinue spending on personal equipment like laptops. Porat added that the perk adjustments will vary based on office location needs and trends seen in each office space.

Google is contemplating closing the micro kitchen on days that see a lower volume of use and shifting some fitness class schedules depending on how they are being used. While the perk reductions may seem like a significant change for Google employees, the company claims the perk reductions are to create savings to support other improvements such as machine utilization.

Google is known for its extensive range of perks, including free snacks, laundry services, massages, and company lunches, making it an ideal place to work. The company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, said earlier this year that the company would be cutting Google staff by about 6 per cent, amounting to roughly 12,000 employees, to direct the company’s talent and capital to its highest priorities, including Artificial Intelligence.

Talking about the same, Google spokesperson Ryan Lamon told Gizmodo, “As we’ve publicly stated, we have a company goal to make durable savings through improved velocity and efficiency,He added, “As part of this, we’re making some practical changes to help us remain responsible stewards of our resources while continuing to offer industry-leading perks, benefits, and amenities.”

The news may not make the Google employees, who absolutely love the perks, very happy, but it is a necessary step for the company to save funds and focus on its high-priority work, including Artificial Intelligence. Google will continue to offer industry-leading perks, benefits, and amenities, but some adjustments will be made to help the company remain responsible stewards of its resources.