Here’s the very beginning of Google’s Code of Conduct:
“Don’t be evil.” Googlers generally apply those words to how we serve our users. But “Don’t be evil” is much more than that. Yes, it’s about providing our users unbiased access to information, focusing on their needs and giving them the best products and services that we can. But it’s also about doing the right thing more generally – following the law, acting honorably and treating each other with respect.
The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put “Don’t be evil” into practice. It’s built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Google will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct.
(“Don’t be evil,” eh? This from the company that wants to sell books that you can only read online.)
Another part of the Google “Code” says, bluntly, “Obey the Law.” Don’t be evil? Obey the law? Kinda hard to reconcile with this report from WebGuild Silicon Valley:
Google has been quietly laying off staff and up to 10,000 jobs could be on the chopping block …
By law, Google is required to report layoffs publicly and with the SEC however, Google has managed to get around the legal requirement. In fact, one of the ways Google was able to meet Wall Street’s Q3 earnings expectations was by trimming “operational” expenses.
Google reports to the SEC that it has 20,123 employees but in reality it has 30,000. Why the discrepancy? Google classifies 10,000 of the employees as temporary operational expenses or “workers” …
So, how does Google get around the SEC requirement regarding material information? Google has hundreds of lawyers figuring out how not to get caught. One of them is by moving workers from job to job every few months so that their status remains temporary. That is why you probably have never spoken to the same person twice at Google and that is also why there is somebody new on the job and most times you know more about their job than they do.
Well, as long as Sergey Brin’s wife has enough capital to keep marketing her creepy in-home DNA testing kits, I guess evil remains in the eye of the beholder.
(Hat tip: Deceiver reader Neoterikos)
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Not too long ago, Google’s CEO denied that “Don’t be evil” was part of ANY official stance of theirs. Sadly, I can’t back that up
I toss it to Kristine–back me up on this!
But that aside, for a company whose slogan (or, you know, whatever) is “Don’t be evil,” Google terrifies me more than almost any other organization on earth.
*cowers under spotlight* Uhhh, well, I no longer have the specific article, but it was from some major news source about something completely unrelated and they slipped a quote in about how that’s not really their motto, just kind of a generalized saying. Which is about what this one does too: “generally apply those words.” What’s so wrong with always applying those words? I suppose generally is thrown in because the definition of “evil” is fluid… which is why they can keep tabs on everyone and get around laws any way they can. Or am I talking about the Obama administration? Dang it, I forgot again.
Not to mention that if you have a different political, social or food preferance and you post something they don’t like then it gets buried in an unattainable link that only space monkeys can seem to find. But the nut jobs and wackos always seem to make it to the first page.
I do some SEO and SEM work…I can pull google strings and get you good results…what is your website? I’d promote my company here, but it isn’t cool to do that.
On the other hand, hiring independent contractors for IT-related work is pretty common. I worked at my current company for almost 3 years before they hired me as an employee.
Google well, they are like all the other big IT companies, and any major corporation. BOTTOM LINE. The execs suck the life out of the company, don’t reward the subordinates, and then when times are tough….support staff go. IBM is going through same transition. With the almighty word from the U.S. gods, shutting down most of the Canadian operations, and farming out to India, where IBM is swallowing up land for future ventures. These companies don’t care about their own, just making money. It’s greed and money that will be the downfall of us all….Merry Christmas…!!!!
It still seems incredibly deceptive to not report that these people are being let go from the company. But obviously the oh-so-saintly investors don’t agree since Google’s stock is currently up $8.
No it won’t. It’s the sense of self-preservation among the powerful. And that’s just part of being alive.
I knew Google was evil when it refused to cooperate with the Feds to bust child pornography rings but cheerfully blocked content for Chinese users at Beijing’s request.
From Ecommerce Journal:
Aha! A clause!
I had a friend who worked for Google for about a year. He was so excited in the beginning, and his soul was crushed by the end. It was so sad to see.
Those DNA kits are actually pretty awesome-sounding, though.
Rocko, I guess that’s what all the lawyers are for, to create those convenient clauses.
Mary, you’re right that Google is just like other IT companies and many corporations in general, but most other companies admit that their overriding purpose is making money for shareholders, not avoiding ‘evil.’
And Strawberry Girl, that is evil. I guess freedom of speech applies in its purest (uh…so to speak) form in the U.S. but not in rich authoritarian regimes overseas.