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Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

theguardian.com

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Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#21

Post by Consultant32452 »

heisenbit wrote: post #20
threatofrain wrote: post #3

> Google executives have been aware since at least May 2019 that the company was failing to comply with local laws in the UK, Europe and Asia that mandate temporary workers be paid equal rates to full-time employees performing similar work, internal Google documents and emails reviewed by the Guardian show. > But rather than immediately correct the errors, the company dragged its feet for more than two years, the doc…

The crux is that one needs to be willing to pierce through the pretend veil of separation: > “the correct outcome from a compliance perspective” and could place the staffing companies it contracts with “in a difficult position, legally and ethically”. The systemic abuse of subcontracting companies to undermine the rule of law by these large corporations needs to stop. But it only will if executives at Google would fa…

The systemic abuse from the rule of law needs to stop. How dare anyone try to tell me who I can work for or how much I can charge for my services.

All this nonsense does is keep the privileged in their place by not allowing the poor to underbid them.

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#23

Post by lumost »

burlesona wrote: post #18
0des wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the mechanism by which an entity that has the resources to spend on wrist-slaps is prevented from just continuing the behavior forever? I notice this a lot, and it feels like there are these opportunities everywhere that are exploited by corporations who know they'll skate every time with minimal financial impact.

Agreed. Executives need to start getting personal punishment if we want corporate behavior to change. Alternatively, start issuing fines such that it’s X percent of revenue plus Y percent of salary from all employees. Even a fine of 1% of annual pay would light a big angry fire under most employees, and perhaps incentivize them to stand up to the execs and refuse to follow illegal or unethical decisions.

The gdpr fine system has seemingly been very effective and convincing corporations to comply with laws. Maximum of 20% in revenue fines, enough to cause many businesses to recapitalize - wiping out shareholders and executives.

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#24

Post by nickff »

Consultant32452 wrote: post #21
heisenbit wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The crux is that one needs to be willing to pierce through the pretend veil of separation: > “the correct outcome from a compliance perspective” and could place the staffing companies it contracts with “in a difficult position, legally and ethically”. The systemic abuse of subcontracting companies to undermine the rule of law by these large corporations needs to stop. But it only will if executives at Google would fa…

The systemic abuse from the rule of law needs to stop. How dare anyone try to tell me who I can work for or how much I can charge for my services. All this nonsense does is keep the privileged in their place by not allowing the poor to underbid them.

The minimum wage was one of the earliest examples of this; attempting to make it more expensive (and uneconomical) to employ black people.

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#25

Post by ajsnigrutin »

0des wrote: post #10
threatofrain wrote: post #3

> Google executives have been aware since at least May 2019 that the company was failing to comply with local laws in the UK, Europe and Asia that mandate temporary workers be paid equal rates to full-time employees performing similar work, internal Google documents and emails reviewed by the Guardian show. > But rather than immediately correct the errors, the company dragged its feet for more than two years, the doc…

What is the mechanism by which an entity that has the resources to spend on wrist-slaps is prevented from just continuing the behavior forever? I notice this a lot, and it feels like there are these opportunities everywhere that are exploited by corporations who know they'll skate every time with minimal financial impact.

Penalties should be high enough, that even if 10% of the cases are uncovered, the fines become more expensive than actually working within all rules.

Also, a lot would be solved if responsible people would get punished too, especially if they knew about the illegal stuff, and didn't do anything.

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#27

Post by ashtonkem »

threatofrain wrote: post #3

> Google executives have been aware since at least May 2019 that the company was failing to comply with local laws in the UK, Europe and Asia that mandate temporary workers be paid equal rates to full-time employees performing similar work, internal Google documents and emails reviewed by the Guardian show. > But rather than immediately correct the errors, the company dragged its feet for more than two years, the doc…

As I keep saying: there’s nothing more dangerous than a company (or department in this case) that was once wildly profitable and is now merely profitable.

It’s absurd that even at places like Google, which has effectively infinite money, there’s still this present attitude of not being able to afford paying workers. Nuts.

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#28

Post by Consultant32452 »

nickff wrote: post #24
Consultant32452 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The systemic abuse from the rule of law needs to stop. How dare anyone try to tell me who I can work for or how much I can charge for my services. All this nonsense does is keep the privileged in their place by not allowing the poor to underbid them.

The minimum wage was one of the earliest examples of this; attempting to make it more expensive (and uneconomical) to employ black people.

I think I'm going to start using reverse psychology on these issues. "I love these laws. I don't want the poors undercutting me. They should be deported instead."

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#29

Post by silicon2401 »

notJim wrote: post #8

> A whistleblower represented by Whistleblower Aid has filed a complaint about the alleged violations with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Nice.

> whistleblower represented by Whistleblower Aid

> https://whistlebloweraid.org/#

Wish I had known about this when I worked at a catering company that hires "contractors" but then tells you what hours you can work, and when you can leave for the night. Sounds like a great company and I'll have to reach out and see if my info might be useful after all.

Re: Google illegally underpaid thousands of workers

#30

Post by aemreunal »

Ansil849 wrote: post #6
willcipriano wrote: post #5

Sounds like they were caught red handed, mens rea and all. Any chance this ends up with serious repercussions like prison time?

> any chance this ends up with serious repercussions like prison time When has any staff member of a FAANG company faced prison time for a similar crime? Not a rhetorical question, I'm genuinely curious though my instinct is to say 'never'.

The only one I can think of was Anthony Levandowski for stealing Waymo's trade secrets but he was pardoned a few months later.
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