#GoogleWalkout: Workers Worldwide Leave Their Desks to Demand End to Sexual Harassment and Inequity

Thousands of Google employees across the globe walked out of their offices at 11:10am local time on Thursday to demand improvements to workplace culture including an end to sexual harassment and misconduct.

The walkout comes on the heels of an executive resigning this week after the New York Times reported that he allegedly harassed a female job applicant and that the company gave another executive accused of harassment a “hero’s farewell” and a $90 million exit package.

Those who are participating in the Google Walkout For Real Change are leaving flyers at their desk that read: “I’m not at my desk because I’m walking out in solidarity with other Googlers and contractors to protest sexual harassment, misconduct, lack of transparency, and a workplace culture that’s not working for everyone. I’ll be back at my desk later.”

“I’m here protesting against harassment in the workplace, to make sure that we don’t protect or support those perpetrators of harassment,” a demonstrator in London told Sky News. “I think people are supporting those who have been harassed in any workplace situation, by any employer, and this is just part of the movement.”

Echoing the #MeToo movement’s rallying cry “Time’s up!” seven organizers of the walkout wrote for The Cut on Thursday about the culture of the company and its failures to create a safe work environment. As they put it:

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