5 July 2023, Mumbai: Gaby Triess, a mental health and wellbeing manager at Google for a decade, found herself among the 12,000 individuals who were laid off in January this year. In a LinkedIn post, Triess revealed that she had received temporary protection during her parental leave, allowing her more time to process the shock of redundancy. Her role at Google concluded last week, coinciding with the end of her second maternity leave.
Having served in various roles at the tech giant, including Google Books and Google Movies and TV, Triess expressed pride in her contributions to the company’s wellbeing program. She acknowledged the impact it had on her own personal growth and expressed gratitude for the opportunities Google provided in both her professional and personal life.
Although the redundancy email came as a major surprise after a decade at Google, Triess emphasized her commitment to move forward. Despite the challenges of caring for her baby, she has been actively engaging in courses, coaching, and job market research. Triess acknowledged the difficulties of navigating her career transition, likening it to making clumsy moves on a dating app after a long-term relationship.
In January, Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed the layoff of approximately 12,000 employees worldwide, constituting over 6% of the total workforce. The company’s decision sparked controversy, especially when reports emerged that ex-employees laid off during maternity or medical leave might not be paid for the remaining duration of their time off.
In March, Google informed its employees that fewer promotions to senior levels would occur compared to previous years. Furthermore, a memo sent by Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat in April revealed that office perks, such as free snacks and workout classes, would be adjusted based on office location needs and trends. Google also announced plans to downsize some of its offices, leading to the sharing of desk spaces among employees.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Gaby Triess remains determined and optimistic about her next steps. She appreciates the support and growth she experienced during her tenure at Google, acknowledging the impact it had on her personal and professional life.