Google workers walk out over treatment of women amid sexual misconduct claims

On November 1, 2018, thousands of Google employees around the world walked out of their offices to protest the company's handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The walkout was sparked by a New York Times investigation that revealed Google had protected several senior executives accused of sexual harassment and misconduct, including Android creator Andy Rubin, who received a $90 million exit package after being accused of coercing a subordinate into performing oral sex.

The walkout was organized by a group of Google employees who were frustrated with the company's lack of transparency and accountability in addressing allegations of sexual misconduct. The protesters demanded that Google take concrete steps to address the issue, including:

1. Ending forced arbitration in cases of sexual harassment and assault, which would allow employees to take their cases to court rather than being forced to settle through arbitration.
2. Providing more transparency and accountability in the company's handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
3. Implementing a more robust system for reporting and investigating sexual misconduct allegations.
4. Providing more support and resources for employees who have experienced sexual harassment or assault.

The walkout was a significant event, with thousands of employees participating in over 50 cities around the world. It was also widely covered in the media, with many major news outlets reporting on the story.

In response to the walkout, Google's CEO Sundar Pichai issued a statement acknowledging the company's mistakes and promising to take steps to address the issue. The company also announced that it would end forced arbitration in cases of sexual harassment and assault, and that it would provide more transparency and accountability in its handling of such allegations.

The Google walkout was a major milestone in the #MeToo movement, which has sought to hold powerful institutions and individuals accountable for their role in perpetuating sexual harassment and assault. It also highlighted the importance of employee activism and the power of collective action in driving change.