Google Employee Details Years of Disillusionment in Memoir

In November 2018, over 20,000 Google employees staged a walkout protesting alleged mishandling of sexual harassment claims. Claire Stapleton, a former marketing manager, recounts her experiences in her new memoir, Don’t Be Evil.

Early Enthusiasm Fades

Stapleton describes joining Google in 2007 as a “full-blown cultural event,” initially believing the company’s vision of using technology to improve lives – extending human lifespan and providing effortless Wi-Fi – would be transformative. However, she notes a growing disconnect between the rhetoric and Google’s core Business as an online advertising juggernaut.

‘Radical Accountability’ and Techno-Utopianism

Early training emphasized “Radical Accountability,” a philosophy championed by Sheryl Sandberg, pushing employees to take full responsibility for everything and avoid blaming circumstances. Stapleton reflects on how she internalized this mindset, questioning Google’s actual impact despite its grand pronouncements.

Creative Lab and Growing Discontent

Working in Google’s Creative Lab in New York, Stapleton experienced a significant shift. She observed a disconnect between the company’s virtuous image and her own frustrating experiences, including a difficult manager relationship and a lack of project opportunities. This dissonance fueled her involvement in the 2018 walkout.

Reflecting on the Walkout

Stapleton describes the walkout as a surprising moment of reflection on her 12-year tenure at Google, revealing a history of cognitive dissonance. She notes that revisiting the organizing work felt significant.