Why Most Google Employees Quit After 1.1 Years (On Average)

Summary

This video explores why Google, despite being a top employer, has a high turnover rate with employees leaving within 1.1 years on average. It delves into five major reasons, including the 'perk trap' that may unintentionally keep employees at work longer, intense work pressure leading to burnout, fierce internal competition affecting promotions, internal politics hindering career growth, and the allure of starting one's own startup post-Google. The video challenges the perception of Google's benefits as purely positive and questions whether they are a retention strategy or genuinely for employee welfare.

Takeaways

• 🏢 Google employees tend to stay with the company for an average of just 1.1 years, significantly shorter than the national average of 4.1 years.
• 🍽️ The company's perks, such as free meals and shuttles, may have a hidden cost, subtly encouraging employees to work longer hours.
• 🐶 Allowing dogs in the office is a perk that can blur the lines between work and personal life, potentially increasing work hours.
• 📈 The competitive environment at Google can be intense, with high expectations and pressure to perform, which may lead to stress and burnout.
• 🏆 The difficulty of obtaining promotions and recognition within Google, due to internal politics and a highly competitive workforce, can be demotivating.
• 🤔 Despite generous benefits like unlimited vacation time, the constant work pressure and aggressive deadlines can overshadow these perks.
• 💼 The high demand for tech talent means that employees often have many opportunities to move to other companies for better pay or conditions.
• 🚀 Many ex-Google employees choose to start their own companies, leveraging the skills and experience gained at Google to pursue their own ventures.
• 🌐 The competitive tech industry in San Francisco ensures that there are always new opportunities for those looking to move on from Google.
• 🔄 The frequent turnover at Google is a challenge for the company, as it constantly needs to recruit and train new employees to replace those who leave.

Q & A

What is the average tenure of a Google employee compared to the national average in the U.S.?

The average tenure of a Google employee is just 1.1 years, which is significantly lower than the national average of 4.1 years in the U.S.

What is referred to as the 'Perk Trap' in the context of Google's employee benefits?

The 'Perk Trap' refers to the idea that Google's extensive perks may have a hidden downside, potentially keeping employees trapped in a cycle of long working hours due to the allure of these benefits.

How does Google's provision of meals potentially influence the working hours of its employees?

Google serves meals late, specifically not offering dinner until between 6 and 6:30 PM, which encourages employees to stay later to take advantage of all three meals, effectively adding extra hours to their workday.

What is the role of Google's free shuttle service in relation to employee work habits?

Google's free shuttle service, which includes free Wi-Fi, may encourage employees to use the commute time for work-related activities, effectively extending their workday by the duration of the commute.

How does allowing dogs in the office potentially affect an employee's work-life balance at Google?

Allowing dogs in the office may eliminate the need for employees to go home to care for their pets, effectively blurring the lines between work and personal life and potentially increasing the time spent at work.

What percentage of Google employees consider their jobs to be extremely stressful according to a report by Payscale.com?

According to a Payscale.com report, 53% of Google employees consider their jobs to be extremely stressful.

How does the competitive nature of working at Google affect employee satisfaction and turnover?

The high level of competition at Google, where employees are surrounded by some of the world's smartest people, can lead to feelings of inadequacy and stress, contributing to dissatisfaction and a higher rate of turnover.

What is the issue with internal politics at Google that some ex-employees have reported?

Some ex-employees have reported a complex internal politics structure at Google that can block their career progression, leading to frustration and eventual departure from the company.

Why do some ex-Google employees choose to start their own startups after leaving Google?

Some ex-Google employees, driven by ambition and the desire to work on something they have full control over, choose to start their own startups to chase the same high that initially motivated them to join Google.

What is the significance of having 'Google' on one's resume in the tech industry?

Having 'Google' on one's resume is highly attractive to recruiters in the tech industry, as it signifies that the individual has worked at a top-tier company and is likely to receive numerous job offers and opportunities.

What is the role of company hopping in the tech industry, especially for software engineers?

Company hopping is common in the tech industry, particularly for software engineers, as they often seek higher salaries and new challenges, using their experience at prestigious companies like Google as leverage.

Outlines

00:00

🔎 The Perk Trap and Work Pressure at Google

This paragraph discusses the paradoxical nature of Google's employee benefits, which, while appearing attractive, may actually serve to extend work hours and increase pressure. The script mentions how perks like free meals, shuttle services, and the ability to bring pets to work can subtly coerce employees into longer working days. It also highlights the high stress levels reported by Google employees, with a significant percentage considering their jobs extremely stressful. Despite the availability of stress-relief amenities, the competitive and deadline-driven work environment often leaves employees feeling overworked and unable to take advantage of these benefits.

05:01

🤖 Intense Competition and the Struggle for Promotions

The second paragraph delves into the competitive nature of Google's work environment and the challenges it presents for employees. It describes the intense selection process to join Google, with a competitive ratio far exceeding that of getting into Harvard. The pressure to perform and innovate in a team of highly intelligent individuals can be both motivating and overwhelming, leading to conflicts and feelings of inadequacy. The paragraph also touches on the internal politics that can hinder promotions, causing frustration for employees who feel they are not being recognized or advanced within the company.

Keywords

💡Google employees

Google employees, also referred to as 'Googlers' in the script, are the subject of the video, highlighting the unique challenges they face. The term is central to the theme as it represents the workforce at Google, a company known for its innovative work culture and high employee turnover rates. The script discusses the average tenure of a Googler being significantly shorter than the national average, which is a key point in understanding the video's exploration of workplace dynamics at Google.

💡Tinder

Tinder is mentioned in the context of relationships among Google employees, suggesting a parallel between the fleeting nature of such relationships and the short duration employees tend to stay at Google. Although not the main focus, it sets a tone for the video's examination of the transient aspects of life and work at Google.

💡Perks

Perks, in the video, refer to the benefits and privileges offered by Google to its employees, such as free meals, massages, and shuttle services. The script suggests that these perks might have a 'dark side,' potentially serving as a means to keep employees at work longer and thus increase their work hours. The concept of perks is integral to the video's argument about the hidden costs of seemingly attractive workplace benefits.

💡Work-life balance

Work-life balance is a key concept in the video, addressing the struggle employees face in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between their professional and personal lives. The script implies that Google's portrayal of an ideal work-life balance may not be entirely accurate, as the company's perks might subtly encourage longer work hours, which could disrupt the balance.

💡Burnout

Burnout is a state of chronic stress and exhaustion that can lead to early departures from a job. The script cites research indicating that a significant percentage of Google employees find their jobs extremely stressful, which could contribute to the high turnover rate. Burnout is a critical issue in the video's discussion of the intense work pressure at Google and its impact on employee retention.

💡Internal politics

Internal politics refers to the power dynamics, influence, and maneuvering that occur within an organization. The script suggests that Google's internal politics may hinder some employees from advancing in their careers, leading to frustration and ultimately, their departure from the company. This concept is vital for understanding the organizational challenges that may affect employee satisfaction and tenure at Google.

💡Promotion

Promotion is the act of moving an employee to a higher position within a company. The video discusses the difficulty some Google employees face in obtaining promotions due to internal politics and competition, which can lead to dissatisfaction and a desire to seek opportunities elsewhere. The concept of promotion is central to the video's narrative about career growth and employee retention issues at Google.

💡Competition

Competition in the context of the video refers to the intense rivalry among employees at Google, both during the hiring process and while working on projects. The script mentions that this competitive environment can be both stimulating and stressful, potentially contributing to the company's high employee turnover. The concept of competition is essential for understanding the high-pressure work culture at Google.

💡Startup

A startup is a newly established business, typically aiming to grow rapidly. The script highlights that many ex-Google employees choose to start their own companies after leaving Google, often driven by ambition and the desire to work on their own projects. The concept of a startup is significant in the video's exploration of the post-Google career paths of former employees and their entrepreneurial aspirations.

💡Company hopping

Company hopping refers to the practice of frequently changing employers, often for better job opportunities or higher salaries. The video suggests that tech employees, including those with Google on their resumes, are particularly prone to company hopping, which can be both a benefit and a challenge for the companies involved. This concept is important for understanding the mobility of tech talent and its implications for employee retention.

💡Recruiters

Recruiters are professionals who seek out potential employees for organizations. In the context of the video, recruiters are portrayed as being highly interested in ex-Google employees, indicating the value and demand for talent with experience at such a prestigious company. The role of recruiters is highlighted in the video to emphasize the appeal of Google alumni in the job market.

Highlights

Google employees who start relationships on Tinder tend to have shorter relationships.

The average tenure of a Google employee is just 1.1 years, compared to 4.1 years in America.

Google is known for its benefits and perks, yet has a high employee turnover rate.

The video explores reasons ex-Google employees gave for quitting, including seeking more freedom and frustration with the work environment.

The 'Perk Trap' is a controversial concept where Google's perks may be designed to keep employees trapped.

Google serves three meals a day, but dinner is served late, encouraging employees to stay longer.

Google's free shuttle and Wi-Fi may encourage employees to work more during commutes.

Allowing dogs in the office could be a strategy to keep employees at work longer.

Google's generous work from home policy and unlimited vacation time may not be fully utilized due to work pressure.

53% of Google employees consider their jobs extremely stressful, according to a payscale.com study.

Ex-Google employees describe feeling like they are constantly working against the clock with little time to relax.

The competitive environment at Google can be both stimulating and pressuring, leading to high expectations and potential conflicts.

Ex-Googlers felt overshadowed by highly talented colleagues, affecting their motivation and opportunities for promotion.

Internal politics at Google can hinder promotions, leading to frustration and departures.

Many ex-Google employees choose to start their own startups, leveraging their experience and ambition.

Ex-Google employees often find themselves in high demand, with recruiters actively seeking them out.

The video suggests that staying at Google for one year and then leaving can be beneficial for future career opportunities.

Transcripts

google employees and relationships that

start on tinder have one thing in common

on average they don't last very long

while employees in america stay with a

company for 4.1 years on average a

typical googler quits in just 1.1 years

so why does the number one best place to

work for many years in a row famous for

benefits and perks massages

mouth-watering meals where 3 million

people apply to work every year with all

this why does google have such a massive

problem keeping people around

we're gonna find out whether google is

hiding some dark secrets or why maybe

the reason people move on so fast is

they rock it onto something even more

positive even greater success fame and

fortune after just one year this video

is purely based on the reasons that

ex-google employees gave for quitting

from seeking more freedom to extreme

frustration with the work environment to

creating their own startups

[Music]

[Applause]

here are five major reasons why most

googlers say goodbye to google in one

year or less

the perk trap

recently a controversial tick tock video

shows the dark side of google's

exclusive perks now you might wonder

what could go wrong with receiving

benefits at work because at first

nothing seems shady employees work hard

contributing the company so they get

rewarded with benefits but what if the

benefits have a dark side and are

nothing but debate to keep you trapped

this is what ken walks a former employee

said in a controversial tick tock that

went viral this year aspiring young

workers flock to the company assuming

they have amazing work-life balance eat

delicious food and play ping-pong with

colleagues and it's not their fault

because that's how google portrays

itself but according to ken this may be

careful marketing just to attract

employees and what you actually see is

to get employees to stay for longer for

example google serves three tasty meals

a day but they don't serve dinner until

between 6 and 6 30. and you might say

okay that's not that late but if you

think about it by the time you finish

eating it's gonna be seven or seven

thirty that means to take advantage of

all three meals you're gonna need to be

at your desk from morning until evening

and getting every employee to stay until

six instead of five those hours really

add up another perk is google's free

shuttle and you even get free wi-fi on

the shuttle great but you can probably

guess what most people are using that

wi-fi to do work more considering the

shuttle can take about one hour from sf

to google campus when there's traffic if

you just add those two hours of commute

time per day and one extra hour that

people stay late for dinner then people

already got three hours of extra work

from you now google also lets you bring

dogs to the office which just seems

purely positive but what ken said is by

doing that google just eliminated

another reason for you to go home or to

think of anything else other than work

it's kind of like you and your dog are

living together in one cage and there's

one thing that's for sure google's

earning back what they spent on these

perks many times over now several

million people watch ken's video and

some agree others disagreed some say

they would happily spend long hours of

work if they got all these free benefits

honestly though what do you think leave

a comment below and of course beyond

what we mentioned here there's a lot of

perks we didn't cover such as google's

generous work from home policy unlimited

vacation time and more but can you

actually enjoy them with the second

reason

endless work pressure

of course google isn't alone with the

list of companies that put a lot of

pressure on employees with aggressive

deadlines but how much pressure is too

much well maybe when work pressure

starts to take a toll on health because

anxiety and burnout can definitely be a

factor in early departures research on

workplace stress recently done by

payscale.com said that 53 of google

employees consider their jobs extremely

stressful no wonder ex-google employees

claim google acts like a demanding

girlfriend even with the unlimited

vacation work from home and more direct

stress relievers like meditation rooms

and insurance covering therapy the

question is are these things actually

helping well if we look at payscale's

report and what ex-googlers say it

largely seems like no but why because

many google employees claimed they felt

like there was a culture of them working

against the clock and they didn't have

any time to relax and de-stress

themselves because it's hard to have

leisure time when you're only thinking

about the task you're behind on due to

an aggressive deadline and ex-googlers

say that due to these deadlines they

always felt behind schedule and only in

rare cases if the team was lucky would

they actually finish a project on time

now in this situation it's very easy to

rationalize something like skipping the

gym when your whole team is working too

now it's not like anyone's gonna stop

you from going but you might be seen as

a slacker for not working as hard as the

rest of the team and to be perceived as

a hard worker you might be eating those

tasty meals at your desk now you might

be typing a comment right now that says

hey you have your perks you have the

high salary so stop complaining but when

you're actually in the environment it's

a bit different not everyone can handle

that stress you might also wonder is

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the video and move on to the third

reason

difficult to survive

i don't want to be dramatic but working

at google you might feel like you're

living a state over in death valley the

constant work pressure can make you

sweat and the competition can make it

hard to survive now the competition

begins as soon as you apply it at google

you have to compete with three million

applicants every year and overshadow

them just to get an interview which

means landing a job at google is harder

than joining harvard 20 times harder

actually but passing the interview and

becoming a googler might be just the

beginning you'll be working with some of

the smartest people in the world which

is of course a great stimulating

experience but you're also going to feel

pressure to match up to them in terms of

performance productivity and creativity

you might try to come up with new ideas

and initiatives to stand out and get a

promotion but this can actually create

conflict with your colleagues who have

their own ideas and incentives and

having someone incredibly smart and

experienced or creative on your team can

actually leave you feeling like you're

stuck in their shadow and many

ex-googlers surveyed actually felt like

they got left out being on such a type

of team personal motivation aside being

on a competitive team can also make it

harder to get big projects and

promotions and over time it can be

discouraging to operate in this

circumstance which does lead to a lot of

employees company hopping to get more

recognition that brings us to our fourth

point politics kills promotions

the next googler named michael lynch

said he tried his best to stick with the

company he gave his best yet there was

still no opportunity to ever get a

promotion and numerous ex-googlers have

felt this way describing a house of

cards style internal politics structure

that happens within the company blocking

them from claiming up the ladder of

success now within tech companies it

should be purely results driven but

people pleasing within google is

apparently a massive problem people

getting passed over for promotions

taking it personally and then going on

to find a new job this is exactly what

crystal brick experienced an ex-product

marketing manager who ended up leaving

her six-figure job for the same reasons

now the question is when people leave

where do they go google seems like the

top and what's next well there are many

comparable companies such as facebook or

netflix but a sizeable amount of people

take advantage of the fifth major reason

to start a startup

uncle ben from spiderman said it best

with great power

comes great responsibility

what he didn't say was with great

responsibility can come extreme stress

if even in big companies stress is

inevitable why not spend that stress on

developing your own company instead and

if competition is inevitable then why

not compete with google itself one group

of ex-google employees took this very

literally and they created a new search

engine called neva and neva is far and

away not the only startup ex-googlers

have created there's so many like

cardiogram texts now coda amplitude

zenesis dildas snap

cape and the list is endless now it's

just a fact that people ambitious enough

to get into google in the first place

are probably ambitious to a fault where

they eventually find it more exciting

and worthwhile to work on their own

company chasing that same high that

initially motivated them to get into

google in the first place now of course

you're gonna lose the perks company

culture benefits and things we've been

talking about this whole time but if

your startup does fail the perks and

competitive salaries exist at almost all

the big tech companies at sf because

they're all competing for the limited

pool of great software engineers tech

employees are notorious for company

hopping especially for higher salaries

as soon as they get bored and if you

have google on your resume you better

believe recruiters are going to be

flooding your inbox more than if you

were a bikini model on instagram and

they'll be trying to get you to move to

their company being so in demand is no

doubt a good thing it makes the

temptation to move though for a pay bump

especially after having a bad day

extremely high imagine if you're google

you're trying to steer a ship with

employees jumping off every single day

so it's an uphill battle to keep people

around and get anything done so maybe

it's not surprising google tries to

juice people as much as they can when

they are still around anyway what do you

think is working for google worth it are

the benefits just a sales tactic or do

they genuinely care about their

employees maybe the sweet spot is

landing google staying for one year and

then leaving it on your resume to use it

for the cloud and future opportunities

just like all the people who drop out of

harvard let me know what you think and

i'll see you next time

[Music]

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