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Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

bloomberg.com

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Re: Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

#41

Post by bluehex »

kranner wrote: post #6
stevenalowe wrote: post #2

How about we do our jobs instead? Yes please!

How about judging us on our performance at our jobs then, and not treating us as children?

If someone spends a significant portion of their day in heated debate about subjects unrelated to their work they aren’t performing to their ability no matter how they spin their output story to make it look like they are performing well. I think freedom to step away from work for an hour or two to unwind is great but it needs to be in moderation - I think people going too far and spending multiple hours of a day in flame wars is what the policy is meant to address.

Re: Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

#42

Post by skybrian »

moresocialism wrote: post #4

The problem is that what constitutes politics? Guns shouldn't be political, who you have sex with shouldn't be political...but in our current climate, they are both considered political. ..and no debating? Most people at Google are shades of left. It sounds like they are just trying to drown out dissenting views once again.

The article doesn't have a copy of the policy, but it seems to be about political debates that are unrelated to your actual job? (The latest news story, for example.)

But since Google operates internationally and is involved in so many things, I assume any given political issue is probably job-related somewhere at Google.

Re: Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

#45

Post by bhhaskin »

kranner wrote: post #26
scarface74 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In most professional settings, it’s considered a norm not to talk about sex, politics, and religion unless your business is dealing with one of those areas specifically.

But do most professional settings go to this extent to police their employees: > creating a team of moderators to monitor conversations on company chat boards

Yes. It's called HR and they will just fire you.

Re: Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

#46

Post by refurb »

BurningFrog wrote: post #24
taurath wrote: post #17

Why shouldn’t employees of the company with the goal of organizing all the worlds information debate politics? Everything is political. Especially information.

Because they have work to do. That's why they're there.

Exactly.

If I'm working on a team that is rolling out a new Google drive feature, I really don't need to hear you talk about why drinking straws are a phallic symbol and used by the patriarchy to keep woman down.

We have work to do.

Re: Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

#47

Post by Erlich_Bachman »

zarkov99 wrote: post #11

No shit. I guess Google can no longer assume that there is a single correct world view that all good and smart people hold. Who knew.

Maybe they just can't no longer assume that they can get away with it and prevent leaks about their practices from becoming public.

Re: Google Doesn’t Want Staff Debating Politics at Work Anymore

#48

Post by 19ylram49 »

taurath wrote: post #17

Why shouldn’t employees of the company with the goal of organizing all the worlds information debate politics? Everything is political. Especially information.

Exactly. I find it quite bizarre when some folks suggest divorcing from politics as if the possibility exists. Everything is political. Even this very conversation is political.
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