Google Is Taking Away Stapler, PCs And Tape 'Privileges' From Employees To Save Money

Amid widespread layoffs in the technology sector earlier this year, Google stated that it would be laying off 12,000 employees; however, it wasn't the only thing the company did to save money.

In February, word spread that Google was downsizing its office space by asking certain workers to share desks.

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Now, Google has found another way to save money. Google is cutting down on staplers and other office supplies as part of its "multi-year efforts" to save costs.

The Wall Street Journal wrote about Google's latest attempts to cut costs based on an email sent by Ruth Porat, who oversees Google's finances.

It has been said that workers no longer get staplers, tape, new laptops, or fitness programs.

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She explained that Google is trying to "deliver durable savings through improved velocity and efficiency" in 2023.

In a statement to CNBC, a spokesperson at Google shed more light on the decision.

If your job requires a stapler at Google, maybe they should just get rid of the entire position.

¡ª Michael McCarty (@mkmccarty3) April 3, 2023

"As we've said in public, our company goal is to save money in the long run by improving speed and efficiency. As part of this, 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."

Here's how the Internet reacted to Google's 'latest' measures to save money.

Times must be tough at Google if it's come down to limiting stapler usage ? ?

¡ª Cynical Mailman (@Cynical_Mailman) April 3, 2023

Imagine working at literally google and having to sign out a stapler from the front desk to mail something

¡ª #1 Rye Rocket Fan Account (@RyeRocket) April 4, 2023

Google's stapler cost-cutting is giving Office Space vibes. pic.twitter.com/8FzZTTiocR

¡ª Robert Ritz (@RobertERitz) April 4, 2023

Imagine working for Google and making mid 6 figures and the boss wants to take your stapler to save money.

¡ª Rodney Ramsey (@RodneyRamsey) April 3, 2023

Google employees can get a free massage or yoga, but not a stapler or tape. Is that not the most gen z thing ever?

¡ª Stanley Yelnats (@Katen07621745) April 4, 2023

Google says no to employees' tape, staplers, in cost-cutting move. ¡°If you need a stapler or tape, the receptionist desk has them to borrow,¡± a San Francisco facility directive cited by CNBC reportedly said.

¡ª Bill Bush (@ReporterBush) April 3, 2023

Google is a BYOS (Bring Your Own Stapler) company.

¡ª Bartek Ogryczak ?@bartek@sfba.social? (@var_tec) April 4, 2023

Can someone grab we a @Google #stapler before they¡¯re all gone? pic.twitter.com/38HlaM1Ld3

¡ª Andrew Sheppard ?? (@andrewsheppard) April 3, 2023

Is Google's "stapler-gate" the modern equivalent of Andy Grove's decision to ask Intel employees to re-use paperclips and to have the cleaners empty garbage only once per week when trying to introduce austerity measures during the DRAM struggles?

¡ª Scott Kupor (@skupor) April 4, 2023

I've worked at Google for 11 years and have never needed a stapler in all that time.

¡ª ?Tommaso Sciortino? (@TommSciortino) April 4, 2023

if any google engineers need to borrow my stapler just lemme know

¡ª April King ? (@CubicleApril) April 4, 2023

GOOGLE IS CUTTING EMPLOYEE FITNESS CLASSES , STAPLER AND TAPE USE AND LAPTOP REPLACEMENTS IN ORDER TO CUT COSTS PER CNBC $GOOGL $GOOG

¡ª GURGAVIN (@gurgavin) April 3, 2023

In the email, Porat also addressed the thousands of employees laid off from Google earlier this year.

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"This work is particularly vital because of our recent growth, the challenging economic environment, and our incredible investment opportunities to drive technology forward¡ªparticularly in AI."

Porat referred to the year 2008 twice in the email to employees.

"We¡¯ve been here before," the email stated.

"Back in 2008, our expenses were growing faster than our revenue. We improved machine utilization, narrowed our real estate investments, tightened our belt on T&E budgets, cafes, micro kitchens, and mobile phone usage, and removed the hybrid vehicle subsidiary. Just as we did in 2008, we¡¯ll be looking at data to identify other areas of spending that aren¡¯t as effective as they should be or don¡¯t scale at our size."

If an in-house phone is made accessible to an employee, they may no longer claim mobile phone costs.

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If an employee needs an item that costs more than $1,000 and isn't already in stock, they must get approval from a director "or above."

Over two dozen on-site massage therapists were let go during the January U.S. layoffs.

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