Google slashes lavish worker perks including ‘micro-kitchens’ in savings push | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
June 11, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
Google slashes lavish worker perks including ‘micro-kitchens’ in savings push

Tech

TBS Report
01 April, 2023, 11:20 am
Last modified: 01 April, 2023, 12:44 pm

Related News

  • Google judge mulls softer remedies in US search antitrust case
  • Anthropic’s latest AI model will blackmail you if you threaten to shut it down
  • Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • How NotebookLM became my favourite study buddy
  • Top five announcements from Google I/O 2025

Google slashes lavish worker perks including ‘micro-kitchens’ in savings push

TBS Report
01 April, 2023, 11:20 am
Last modified: 01 April, 2023, 12:44 pm
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

The artificial intelligence advancement race in the tech industry is more intense than it has ever been. Google, famous for its free sushi lunches and company-provided massages, has reportedly decided to cut down on some of its famous perks to trim costs and reorient itself to focus more on AI advancements. 

Google, even among its high-paying tech company rivals, is known for its free perks, including laundry, massages, meals, and workout facilities. Along with the perks, the high salaries and recurring stock grants have given the company the reputation of the cushiest employer in Silicon Valley, reports Washington Post. 

However, concerns about a recession have ended the golden days for tech workers which also includes Google's employees. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Google, along with its competitors, has started firing thousands of workers, cutting back on expansion projects, and ending perks that employees long took for granted.

"We're making some practical changes to help us remain responsible stewards of our resources while continuing to offer industry-leading perks, benefits, and amenities," spokesman Chris Pappas said.

Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat sent out an email to the employees, informing them that the company will be closing the doors to some of the"micro kitchens" that populate its many offices and provide free snacks, cereal, espresso, and seltzer water.

The mass layoff of 12,0000 employees, which was announced in January of this year, is still being "worked through in some countries," Porat said in the email.

The cuts are made to stay apace with Microsft and the rising competition in the tech industry with all the well-funded start-ups that are launching new AI products which are expected to change the way people interact with computers. The new products will introduce a new era of tech competition and innovation.

"This work is particularly vital because of our recent growth, the challenging economic environment, and our incredible investment opportunities to drive technology forward — particularly in AI," Porat said. Google is also moving teams to focus on "higher priority work," keeping the pace of new hiring lower than in past years and cutting down spending on software tools, equipment, and consultants, she said.

Over the decade, Google has spent billions on its own AI research and advancements. However, with OpenAI's AI tools such as image generators and chatbots, the company had decided to focus more of its resources on Ai to keep up with the industry's fast-growing pace. 

the company's focus right now is on finding ways to more efficiently use those computers to save time and energy, according to Porat said.

Despite the rush to dominate the industry and the market, Google is still at the center of the AI race. The company has the advantage of possessing all the necessary tools and technology to train cutting-edge AI algorithms.

 

 

 

 

Top News

google / Artificial Intelligence

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • File Photo of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus: UNB
    Yunus delivering special speech at Chatham House
  • File Photo: TBS
    DGHS issues 11-point directive to prevent spread of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
  • Rizvi at a briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on 11 June. Photo: Collected
    Yunus-Tarique meeting to usher in a fresh breeze for democracy: Rizvi

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • Screengrab from video shows a group of local youths forcing tourists to leave a tourist spot in Utmachhra area of Sylhet's Companiganj on Sunday, 8 June 2025, citing allegations of obscene activities and environmental damage
    Locals declare tourist spot in Sylhet 'closed', force visitors to leave
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook
  • Photo shows the Land Cruiser Prado car belonging to former member of parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar found in Kushtia. Photo: TBS
    Luxury car of ex-AL MP Anar, who was killed in Kolkata, found in Kushtia

Related News

  • Google judge mulls softer remedies in US search antitrust case
  • Anthropic’s latest AI model will blackmail you if you threaten to shut it down
  • Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • How NotebookLM became my favourite study buddy
  • Top five announcements from Google I/O 2025

Features

Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

19h | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Covid-19 testing to resume at hospitals amid rising infections

Covid-19 testing to resume at hospitals amid rising infections

1h | TBS Today
Curfew ordered in downtown Los Angeles after looting and vandalism

Curfew ordered in downtown Los Angeles after looting and vandalism

2h | TBS World
Israel kidnapped me in international waters: Greta Thunberg

Israel kidnapped me in international waters: Greta Thunberg

3h | TBS World
Is the chief adviser's meeting with the British Prime Minister uncertain?

Is the chief adviser's meeting with the British Prime Minister uncertain?

4h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net