Google employees around the world are walking out to demand change

Google employees around the world are walking out to demand changeGoogle employees around the world are walking out to demand changeOn Thursday, thousands of Google employees and contractors around the world are staging office walkouts at 1110 a.m. to protest the companys handling of sexual harassment claims. The walkout follows aNew York Times report, which said that Google had paid male executives millions of dollars in exit packages after sexual harassment claims were made against them. Android creator Andy Rubin, for example, reportedly received a $90 million exit package even after the company concluded that a sexual harassment claim made against him was credible.The report sparked employees outrage that Google executives apologies have been unable to quell. Google has already been accused of mistreating women before. The Department of Labor is investigatinga claim that the tech giant has underpaid women.In an internal email to staff, CEO Sundar Pichai said that at least 48 peop le have been fired for sexual harassment without receiving a payout.It is in the midst of this polarizing climate that employees said they had had enough. All employees and contract workers across the company deserve to be safe. Sadly, the executive team has demonstrated through their lack of meaningful action that our safety is not a priority, organizers of the Google walkout said in a statement. Weve waited for leadership to fix these problems, but have come to this conclusion no one is going to do it for us. So we are here, standing together, protecting and supporting each other.Google staff in New York City, Georgia, Massachusetts, Zurich, London, Tokyo, Singapore and Berlin are among the offices taking part.An end to forced arbitration among demands being madeIn addition to the walkouts, the organizers of the Google walkout have published a list of demands on social media accounts.1) An end to forced arbitration in cases of harassment and discrimination.2) A commitment to end p ay and opportunity inequity.3) A publicly disclosed sexual harassment transparency report.4) A clear, uniform, globally inclusive process for reporting sexual misconduct safely and anonymously.5) Elevate the chief diversity officer to answer directly to the CEO and make recommendations directly to the board of directors. In addition, appoint an employee representative to the board.Arbitration agreements are a common contract clause within tech companies that prevent employees from banding together to take on companies directly in a class-action lawsuit. Instead of taking cases to court, employees handle their cases internally with their employer. This is good for the company. Investigations into the practice have found that when cases go into private arbitration, companies overwhelmingly win those cases.In an internal email, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that he and the companys management were aware of the activities planned for Thursday and that he would ensure that employees woul d have the support they needed.

40 questions to ask before you accept a job offer

40 questions to ask before you accept a job offer40 questions to ask before you accept a job offerCongratulations Youve made it through the most difficult part of the job hunt. All the job applications, interview rounds, and thank-you notes have paid off Now, it might be tempting to jump right in and accept a job offer, but hold on for the more grueling decision is yet to be taken. Before you accept a job offer, you need to ensure that you are going into the new role with clarity about what it will entail.Most people are so nerve-wracked during an interview that they dont want to rock the boat or say the wrong thing. This keeps them from getting more information about the role, the compensation, the team and the company. How would you know if its the right job for you? The key here is to imagine a job interview as a abverkauf pitch. If you know your role well, youve got to sell yourself into the role and let the results do the talking. At the end of the day, youre selling your time f or money.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe HR Digest has a checklist of sensible questions to ask before you accept a job offer.The roleInterviewing is a two-way street. The employer is offering you the job, and you are offering the talent. Remember, the part interviewing you might very well be your working partner. Talk to them, ask for clarification so you have more details about the role you have been offered. There is a slight mglichkeit that no one has ever asked this question. It can help you break the ice and give you the edge when its time to select a candidate.When you ask questions, it shows interest in the company, gives you more information, and makes the conversation flow between you and the interviewer.When do I start?How did this location come to be open?What does success look like in this role?Could you give an example of a typical working day?What would my im mediate priorities be?What are the expectations of this position over the first twelve months?How would you measure my success, if I were chosen for this role?Do you have any reservations about me or my background for this position?These questions would serve multiple purposes. It would give you a brief idea about how well suited you are for the role or the management style. It also lets the company know youre motivated, passionate and ambitious in life. Moreover, they will open doors to discuss training, what projects youll be working on, and whom you would be working with.The teamIs there anyone I can reach out to and get guidance from?What are the biggest challenges people face when they start out in this position?Who will I work with most closely?Who will I report to directly?What is your imagination for the team?What is the biggest achievement this department has made?What is the biggest challenge facing this department right now?These questions will help you see if you have th e same values as the people the company has employed. Moreover, asking these questions will prevent situations in which youll take up a job with almost no work, no supervisor, and no idea what your basic responsibilities are.Salary benefitsIs the salary negotiable?Is the amount provided base pay?What is included as a part of your benefits package?What kind of opportunities exists for personal growth?Will I be getting any additional wellness perks?What is the performance review process like here?What metrics or goals will I be evaluated against?Can I know about the 401K program?Do you offer dental and vision insurance?How many sick days and personal days will I get?How much paid vacation time will I get per year?Can I carry over the paid vacation time if I dont utilize it?What are the core working hours?Will I get the flexibility of working from home once in a while?These are specific questions you can ask when considering a job offer. It will make it much easier for you to negotiat e on your contract before you join the team.The company cultureIve read about the companys founding, can you tell me more about?Where do you see the company in the next five years?Can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?Would you mind giving me a tour of where this job would take place so I can get a feel of where Id be working and who I would be working with?How is work-life balance in the company?What is the company culture here like?Does anyone on the team hang out outside the office?What are the long term prospects for the person who takes up the job?What do you offer in regards to training the staff?Would I be able to represent the company at industry events and conferences?Can I answer any final questions for you?These are some very good questions to ask before you accept a job offer. It means youre already thinking about the role you have been offered. You can also find out whether a company is right for you. Of course, you wont use all of the questions me ntioned here, so pick the ones that are most important to you. It will also help you make a better decision when youre deciding between multiple offers so you can compare responses.Remember, its okay to decline a job offer if it isnt the job for you. If they already answered all your questions, just reply Well, youve answered all my questions already, thank you for your time.This post welches originally published on September 25, 2017 and appeared on The HR Digest.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people40 questions to ask before you accept a job offerCongratulations Youve made it through the most difficult part of the job hunt. All the job applications, interview rounds, and thank-y ou notes have paid off Now, it might be tempting to jump right in and accept a job offer, but hold on for the more grueling decision is yet to be taken. Before you accept a job offer, you need to ensure that you are going into the new role with clarity about what it will entail.Related from Ladders6 things recruiters are looking for in 20184 tips on salary negotiation from the $20-million-plus star of Greys Anatomy, Ellen PompeoHeres how to be less anxious while waiting to hear back about a jobMost people are so nerve-wracked during an interview that they dont want to rock the boat or say the wrong thing. This keeps them from getting more information about the role, the compensation, the team and the company. How would you know if its the right job for you? The key here is to imagine a job interview as a sales pitch. If you know your role well, youve got to sell yourself into the role and let the results do the talking. At the end of the day, youre selling your time for money.The HR Digest has a checklist of sensible questions to ask before you accept a job offer.The roleInterviewing is a two-way street. The employer is offering you the job, and you are offering the talent. Remember, the person interviewing you might very well be your working partner. Talk to them, ask for clarification so you have more details about the role you have been offered. There is a slight chance that no one has ever asked this question. It can help you break the ice and give you the edge when its time to select a candidate.When you ask questions, it shows interest in the company, gives you more information, and makes the conversation flow between you and the interviewer.When do I start?How did this position come to be open?What does success look like in this role?Could you give an example of a typical working day?What would my immediate priorities be?What are the expectations of this position over the first twelve months?How would you measure my success, if I were chosen for this ro le?Do you have any reservations about me or my background for this position?These questions would serve multiple purposes. It would give you a brief idea about how well suited you are for the role or the management style. It also lets the company know youre motivated, passionate and ambitious in life. Moreover, they will open doors to discuss training, what projects youll be working on, and whom you would be working with.The teamIs there anyone I can reach out to and get guidance from?What are the biggest challenges people face when they start out in this position?Who will I work with most closely?Who will I report to directly?What is your vision for the team?What is the biggest achievement this department has made?What is the biggest challenge facing this department right now?These questions will help you see if you have the same values as the people the company has employed. Moreover, asking these questions will prevent situations in which youll take up a job with almost no work, no supervisor, and no idea what your basic responsibilities are.Salary BenefitsIs the salary negotiable?Is the amount provided base pay?What is included as a part of your benefits package?What kind of opportunities exists for personal growth?Will I be getting any additional wellness perks?What is the performance review process like here?What metrics or goals will I be evaluated against?Can I know about the 401K program?Do you offer dental and vision insurance?How many sick days and personal days will I get?How much paid vacation time will I get per year?Can I carry over the paid vacation time if I dont utilize it?What are the core working hours?Will I get the flexibility of working from home once in a while?These are specific questions you can ask when considering a job offer. It will make it much easier for you to negotiate on your contract before you join the team.The Company CultureIve read about the companys founding, can you tell me more about?Where do you see the company in t he next five years?Can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?Would you mind giving me a tour of where this job would take place so I can get a feel of where Id be working and who I would be working with?How is work-life balance in the company?What is the company culture here like?Does anyone on the team hang out outside the office?What are the long term prospects for the person who takes up the job?What do you offer in regards to training the staff?Would I be able to represent the company at industry events and conferences?Can I answer any final questions for you?These are some very good questions to ask before you accept a job offer. It means youre already thinking about the role you have been offered. You can also find out whether a company is right for you. Of course, you wont use all of the questions mentioned here, so pick the ones that are most important to you. It will also help you make a better decision when youre deciding between multiple offers so you ca n compare responses.Remember, its okay to decline a job offer if it isnt the job for you. If they already answered all your questions, just reply Well, youve answered all my questions already, thank you for your time.This post originally appeared on The HR Digest.

Everything You Need to Know and Understand Before You Quit an Abusive Job

Everything You Need to Know and Understand Before You Quit an Abusive JobEverything You Need to Know and Understand Before You Quit an Abusive JobThere are many reasons why a job can feel straight-up toxic an awful boss, office bullying from cliquey co-workers, a total lack of communication, or unrealistic expectations that keep you working around the clock. And some places are downright abusive- so much so that you may want to file a legal claim when you leave.Before you turn in your resignation, learn how to protect yourself if you do take legal action, or to simply keep your bridges intact and bedrngnis hurt your professional prospects.Talk to a LawyerIf something makes you uncomfortable and goes beyond a muster office dispute, reach out to an attorney, says D. Jill Pugh, a Seattle-based employment lawyer. An attorney will give you an idea of where you stand- maybe your boss sucks, but what hes doing isnt illegal. Or, you might learn you have grounds for a court case and can start taking steps toward filing a claim.A lawyer can also give you a bigger picture of your options based on your specific workplace. For example, she may be able to point out policies that you didnt even know you agreed to when you were hired, Pugh says. (Employers often have new hires sign paperwork- or print information in their employee handbooks- that waives employees rights to court trials.)To find an attorney who primarily represents employees, check out the National Employment Lawyers Association.Take NotesInstead of firing off an angry email to your friend when your boss steps out of line, keep a journal on the situation, Pugh says. If you do plan to file a claim, these records will be invaluable- and the more detailed, the better. Include dates, times, the names of people involved, and descriptions of abusive conversations, unmerited punishments, or discriminatory practices.Always make sure to handwrite the notes- dont put them on a company computer or even your personal one, Pugh says. This protects you against the chance that your former employer could request access to your entire personal computer, which a court just might grant.Sit Down With HRWhen something problematic comes up at work, use any employer dispute resolution policy before quitting, Pugh advises. This way your higher-ups cant say they would have taken steps to resolve issues if only theyd known about them. The procedure for resolving a dispute should be outlined clearly in any good employee handbook. Generally, youll want to start by making an appointment with your HR representative. Bring those notes with you, as well as possible solutions. As in any conflict, you want to come across level-headed and non confrontational. You never know where this HR person will end up, and you might as well be remembered not simply for the conflict, but for how well you handled it.Dont Touch Anything ConfidentialWhether or not you pursue legal action, remember that you could get yourself in hot water with an ex-employer if they think youre repeating confidential or proprietary info. In the event that you received an email from an employer that contained both proof of harassment as well as confidential company information, document in detail the exact nature of the harassment, as well as the date, time, and recipients.If you end up needing the entire email as proof, you can let lawyers do the job of legally gaining possession of the communication, and you cant be dinged for distributing confidential information.Be Honest When You ResignIf you write a resignation letter, dont leave out the real reason youre leaving, Pugh says. Otherwise, your letter could be used against you as proof that you were happy at your company, should you end up pursuing any legal action.If you want to get your point across but not wreck relationships, you can strike a happy medium between honesty and diplomacy. Pugh suggests a simple I wish I could stay, but circumstances in the workplace have made it so I cannot.Give 100% Until the EndAs tempting as it might be to slack off, take the high road and give the company your complete attention until the day you leave, Sharlyn Lauby, author and president of ITM Group Inc., says. Chances are, your industry is smaller than you think- every good reference counts.Finish strong by making sure your co-workers arent left with a pile of your loose ends. Complete any existing projects, or at least make sure anything you cant finish is delegated to someone qualified. Organize documents that can help your successor take over, like schedules, contacts, and protocols. In other words, leave your company as if there werent bad blood between you.Learn From the Experience and Move OnInstead of ending up on a hamster wheel of workplace dysfunction, treat this as a learning experience, Lauby says Understanding what youre looking for in a career will help you make better decisions in the future.To avoid the same pitfalls in your new job, there are some ques tions you can ask before you accept a new offer. For example, ask about what personalities flourish in their organization to figure out whether youre a good fit. Or, turn the tables and ask your interviewer what she likes about working at the company. If she has a hard time coming up with an answer, it can be a hint you may want to look elsewhere.mora From DailyWorthIts Time to Stop Being UnderpaidHow to Handle a Bad BossWhat to Do When Youre Bored at Your JobPhoto of stressed woman courtesy of Shutterstock.