We’re all familiar with Google’s kick ass employer brand. I’ve often said to people, “Everyone wants to work at Google. Even if you don’t know it yet, you do.”
But is that the case anymore?
The folks at JobMatchBox point out that the recent cuts to perks and benefits at Google are tarnishing its employer brand. They point to a Wall Street Journal article that talks about the Google cuts to cafeteria services, new product development and perhaps the precious 20% “free” time that so many Google engineers have enjoyed.
JobMatchBox points out that:
Google is a company that has worked very hard to maintain a very unique and strong employer brand, but the company has also spent a great deal of money to reach the #1 employer status. In today’s current economic climate Google is one of many companies cutting back on excesses.
And with that in mind:
So what does this mean for others who have been competing against Google and other top tech brands over the years? If the writing isn’t already on the wall let me spell it out. For starters, there isn’t a fire sale for employees at Google, but there is an opportunity to hire away some of their best and brightest people in all areas.
I’m not sure we’ll see a significant exodus out of Google in the near future, although I do agree with JobMatchBox that opportunity always emerges for someone out of tough times.
But what about Google’s employer brand?
Is their employer brand damaged?
And I wonder about other companies as well - since Google isn’t the only one cutting. How are employer brands impacted (internally and externally) by cuts? Can the damage be mitigated somehow?
Lay offs are just wrong. And for $GOOG to say basically, “We are not smart enough to deploy our talent” comes as a shock. Yes, the brand is damaged.
I gained some new insight on this subject back in October:
http://consultski.blogspot.com/2008/10/sting-like-bee.html
There almost always people that do not belong on the payroll, but with billions of cash on hand, they are sending the wrong message. IMNSHO.
-ski
Having lavish perks when others are suffering would hurt their brand more. They are doing the right thing.
I still see Google as a highly desired employer here in Silicon Valley. They were very far ahead of other employers, so they’d have to make pretty significant changes for people to be turned off. Yes, there has been some tightening. I don’t think going from three free meals to two is significant. They’re still an incredibly hot place to work.