Google outlines steps to tackle workplace harassment. by Glenn CHAPMAN

"We recognize that we have not always gotten everything right in the past and

we are sincerely sorry for that," chief executive Sundar Pichai said in a

message to employees, a copy of which was shared with AFP. "It's clear we need

to make some changes." Arbitration of harassment claims will be optional

instead of obligatory, according to Pichai, a move that could end anonymous

settlements that fail to identify those accused of harassment. "Google has

never required confidentiality in the arbitration process and it still may be

the best path for a number of reasons (e.g. personal privacy, predictability

of process), but, we recognize that the choice should be up to you," he said

in the memo. Pichai promised that Google will be more transparent with how

concerns are handled, and provide better support and care to those who raise

such issues with the company. Google will provide "more granularity,"

regarding sexual harassment investigations and their outcomes, according to

Pichai. A section of an internal "Investigations Report" will focus on sexual

harassment to show numbers of substantiated concerns as well as trends and

disciplinary actions, according to the California-based company. He also said

Google is consolidating the complaint system and that the process for handling

concerns will include providing support people and counselors. Google will

update its mandatory sexual harassment training, and require it annually

instead of every two years as had been the case. - Less booze - Google is

also putting the onus on team leaders to tighten the tap on booze at company

events, on or off campus, to curtail the potential for drunken misbehavior.

"Harassment is never acceptable and alcohol is never an excuse," Google said

in a released action statement. "But, one of the most common factors among the

harassment complaints made today at Google is that the perpetrator had been

drinking." Google policy already bans excessive consumption of alcohol on the

job; while on company business, or at work-related events. Some teams at the

company have already instituted two-drink limits at events or use ticket

systems, Google said. Google executives overseeing events will be expected to

strongly discourage excessive drinking, according to the company, which vowed

"onerous actions" if problems persisted. The company also promised to

"recommit" to improving workplace diversity through hiring, retention, and

career advancement.' - 'Googleplex' walkout - Thousands of Google employees

joined a coordinated worldwide walkout a week ago to protest the US tech

giant's handling of sexual harassment. A massive turnout at the "Googleplex"

in Silicon Valley was the final stage of a global walkout that began in Asia

and spread to Google offices in Europe. Some 20,000 Google employees and

contractors participated in the protest in 50 cities around the world,

according to organizers. Demma Rodriguez, head of equity engineering and a

seven-year Google employee, said during the walkout that it was an important

part of bringing fairness to the technology colossus. "We have an aspiration

to be the best company in the world," Rodriguez said. "But we also have goals

as a company and we can't decide we are going to miss those." The protest took

shape after Google said it had fired 48 employees in the past two years --

including 13 senior executives -- as a result of allegations of sexual

misconduct. Demands posted by organizers included an end to forced arbitration

in cases of harassment and discrimination for all current and future

employees, along with a right for every Google worker to bring a co-worker,

representative, or supporter when filing a harassment claim. In a statement

organizers commended Google for the response, but said more changes are

needed. "We demand a truly equitable culture, and Google leadership can

achieve this by putting employee representation on the board and giving full

rights and protections to contract workers," organizer Stephanie Parker said

in the statement. Along with sexual harassment, Google needs to address racism

and discrimination that includes inequity in pay and promotions, organizers

said. "They all have the same root cause, which is a concentration of power

and a lack of accountability at the top," Parker said. DM