Google CEO Sundar Pichai admits ‘we didn’t live up to expectations’

Google employees across the globe took part in a mass walkout in protest over the company’s protection of Android mobile software creator, Andy Rubin (pictured in New York in June), who has been accused of sexual assault allegations 

Google’s CEO has admitted ‘we didn’t always do it right’, but insists sexual harassment is a societal problem after the tech giant paid out $90m to a sex-pest executive.

Thousands of employees took part in a mass walkout, dubbed the ‘Walkout For Real Change,’ one week after Android software creator Andy Rubin was accused of coercing a woman into performing oral sex on him in a hotel in 2013, reported by the New York Times.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai took to the stage yesterday, ‘It’s been a difficult time here,’ he told the New York Times DealBook conference. ‘There’s been anger and frustration within the company. We all feel it. I feel it too. At Google, we set a very high bar, and we clearly didn’t live up to our expectations.’

Rubin denied the allegations in a tweet, saying the article contained ‘numerous inaccuracies’ and ‘wild exaggerations’.  

But Rubin is believed to have received a considerable exit package in 2014, valued at approximately $90 million, and was also loaned $14 million in 2012 to buy a seaside villa in Japan at one per cent interest.

Pichai refused to confirm there was a toxic culture and said, ‘Moments like this show that we didn’t always get it right, and so we are committed to doing better.’

Google has fired 48 people over sexual harassment in the last two years, 13 of them senior, according to the Times.  

Google's CEO Sundar Pichai, 46, admitted failings and said that he felt angry too - 'We all feel it' - at the New York Times DealBook conference yesterday as thousands of his employees marched against the company

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, 46, admitted failings and said that he felt angry too – ‘We all feel it’ – at the New York Times DealBook conference yesterday as thousands of his employees marched against the company

Workers hold signs in New York yesterday outside Google's offices on 14th Park Street as demonstrations were held in different time zones across their global offices

Workers hold signs in New York yesterday outside Google’s offices on 14th Park Street as demonstrations were held in different time zones across their global offices

Google X director Richard DeVaul and former senior vice president Amit Singhal were also named in the Times report, as alleged perpetrators of sexual misconduct.

Pichai told the audience at the Times conference, ‘Sexual harassment is a societal problem and Google is a large company,’ and added, ‘We are definitely doing our best.’ 

The demonstration yesterday is the latest expression of a year-long backlash which has rocked Pichai’s tenure after he became CEO in 2015.

Last year he was the subject of intense scrutiny after he fired a software engineer who had deigned to question Google’s diversity and gender equality strategy in an internal memo.

James Damore sued the tech company in January, while Pichai said: ‘Within the company we allow for a lot of people to speak up, but we have a code of conduct.’ 

The demonstration helped scupper Google’s Maven project to help the U.S. military scan battlefields using drones and artificial intelligence.

Workers have also protested Google’s plans to launch a censored search engine in China, and work by Amazon and Microsoft to assist police agencies and federal immigration agents with facial recognition and other tools. 

‘These people are not easily replaceable and as a result they have a significant amount of power,’ said Kade Crockford, who tracks how new technology affects civil rights for the ACLU of Massachusetts.

As the mass protest moved to the west coast, Google employees gathered in the San Francisco Bay area where the main headquarters is located in Mountain View, and Los Angeles to protest the company culture. 

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA 

Rubin is accused of coercing a woman into performing oral sex on him while in a hotel room in 2013; As the mass protest moved to the west coast, Google employees gathered in the San Francisco Bay area outside of Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California

Rubin is accused of coercing a woman into performing oral sex on him while in a hotel room in 2013; As the mass protest moved to the west coast, Google employees gathered in the San Francisco Bay area outside of Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California

The demonstration on Thursday is the latest in the year-long backlash against exploitation of subordinates across industries

The demonstration on Thursday is the latest in the year-long backlash against exploitation of subordinates across industries

Google X director Richard DeVaul and former senior vice president Amit Singhal were also named in the Times report, as alleged perpetrators of sexual misconduct; Thousands of employees are shown after walking out of Google's office in San Francisco, California on Thursday

Google X director Richard DeVaul and former senior vice president Amit Singhal were also named in the Times report, as alleged perpetrators of sexual misconduct; Thousands of employees are shown after walking out of Google’s office in San Francisco, California on Thursday

The New York Times report that inspired this day of protest by Google employees came out on October 25, and revealed that Rubin resigned after a woman came to the company to report an alleged sexual assault; Thousands of Google employees are shown outside of the San Francisco Google office during the global walkout on Thursday

The New York Times report that inspired this day of protest by Google employees came out on October 25, and revealed that Rubin resigned after a woman came to the company to report an alleged sexual assault; Thousands of Google employees are shown outside of the San Francisco Google office during the global walkout on Thursday

No mention was made of the accusations against Rubin to the public, and he was praised by executives on this way out in 2014; Google employees are shown outside of the San Francisco Google office during the global walkout on Thursday

No mention was made of the accusations against Rubin to the public, and he was praised by executives on this way out in 2014; Google employees are shown outside of the San Francisco Google office during the global walkout on Thursday

Rubin was also reportedly paid $90 million in an exit package, even though Google wasn't legally required to pay him anything upon his depature; Google employees are seen here as they walk off the job to protest the company's handling of sexual misconduct claims on Thursday at the flagship office in the San Francisco Bar area in Mountain View, California

Rubin was also reportedly paid $90 million in an exit package, even though Google wasn’t legally required to pay him anything upon his depature; Google employees are seen here as they walk off the job to protest the company’s handling of sexual misconduct claims on Thursday at the flagship office in the San Francisco Bar area in Mountain View, California

Google employees are shown outside of the San Francisco area Google office during the global walkout on Thursday

Google employees are shown outside of the San Francisco area Google office during the global walkout on Thursday

Rubin's promised a $90 million severance package  was paid out over time with the last payment scheduled for November; Google employees are shown walking out of work in Mountain View, California to protest Rubin's massive handout despite sexual assault allegations that the company deemed to be credible

Rubin’s promised a $90 million severance package was paid out over time with the last payment scheduled for November; Google employees are shown walking out of work in Mountain View, California to protest Rubin’s massive handout despite sexual assault allegations that the company deemed to be credible

The San Francisco area was one of the last to join the demonstration which was scheduled to take place across the globe at 11.10am local time at each Google office location on Thursday

The San Francisco area was one of the last to join the demonstration which was scheduled to take place across the globe at 11.10am local time at each Google office location on Thursday

One protester in San Francisco held a sign that read, 'Happy to quit for $90M, no sexual harassment required'

One protester in San Francisco held a sign that read, ‘Happy to quit for $90M, no sexual harassment required’

A sea of people fill the main quad on Google's Mountain View campus in the San Francisco Bay area during a walkout that took place at 11.10am local time at global locations of the company's offices on Thursday

A sea of people fill the main quad on Google’s Mountain View campus in the San Francisco Bay area during a walkout that took place at 11.10am local time at global locations of the company’s offices on Thursday

A San Francisco Bay area Google employee holds a sign that reads, 'Don't be evil. Protect victims, not harassers,' on Thursday

A San Francisco Bay area Google employee holds a sign that reads, ‘Don’t be evil. Protect victims, not harassers,’ on Thursday

Two Google employees face out to a crowd of colleagues in San Francisco on Thursday holding signs that read 'Speak up, speak out' and 'Sexual harassment stops here' during a global protest against the handling of sexual misconduct claims

Two Google employees face out to a crowd of colleagues in San Francisco on Thursday holding signs that read ‘Speak up, speak out’ and ‘Sexual harassment stops here’ during a global protest against the handling of sexual misconduct claims

Workers protest against Google's handling of sexual misconduct allegations outside of the company's Mountain View, California, headquarters on Thursday

Workers protest against Google’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations outside of the company’s Mountain View, California, headquarters on Thursday

A Google employee faces out to a crowd of colleagues in San Francisco on Thursday holding a 'Don't be evil' sign

A Google employee faces out to a crowd of colleagues in San Francisco on Thursday holding a ‘Don’t be evil’ sign

Google employees fill Harry Bridges Plaza in front of the Ferry Building during a walkout on Thursday in San Francisco

Google employees fill Harry Bridges Plaza in front of the Ferry Building during a walkout on Thursday in San Francisco

Google employees march down the Embarcadero during a walkout on Thursday in San Francisco

Google employees march down the Embarcadero during a walkout on Thursday in San Francisco

As the mass protest moved to the west coast, Google employees gathered in the San Francisco Bay area where the main headquarters is located in Mountain View, and Los Angeles to protest the company culture. 

Shortly before noon in Los Angeles at Google’s Venice Beach location, there were about  150 people standing in the blaring heat, as temperatures felt warmer than reported in direct sunlight.

The protesters there were gathered in a courtyard area at the Google office behind a big fence. 

A female employee on a microphone was speaking to the crowd, encouraging those who wished to have a turn to talk to speak up.  

The woman said the company has a lot of women in it and the group would look out for them. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 

Shortly before noon in Los Angeles at Google's Venice Beach location, there were about 150 people standing in the blaring heat, as temperatures felt warmer than reported in direct sunlight

Shortly before noon in Los Angeles at Google’s Venice Beach location, there were about 150 people standing in the blaring heat, as temperatures felt warmer than reported in direct sunlight

A female employee on a microphone was speaking to the crowd, encouraging those who wished to have a turn to talk to speak up at the Venice, Califorrnia Google office

A female employee on a microphone was speaking to the crowd, encouraging those who wished to have a turn to talk to speak up at the Venice, Califorrnia Google office

The Google employee protesters in Venice, California were gathered in a courtyard area at the Google office behind a big fence as a female co-worker woman said the company has a lot of women in it and the group would look out for them

Thursday’s workout could signal that a significant number of the 94,000 employees working for Google and its corporate parent Alphabet Inc. remained unconvinced the company is doing enough to adhere to Alphabet’s own mantra, urging all employees to ‘do the right thing.’ 

A Silicon Valley congresswoman tweeted her support of the Google walkout using the hashtag ‘#MeToo’ that is now synonymous with a global movement for fighting sexual misconduct.

‘Why do they think it’s OK to reward perpetrators & further violate victims?’ asked Representative Jackie Speier, who represents an affluent district where many of Google’s employees live. 

Rubin said he had no knowledge of any investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct that was being conducted at the time of his departure from Google.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 

Google employees gather in a courtyard as they take part in a walkout from their jobs at the Google campus in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, which is about 11 miles from the city of Seattle, across Lake Washington

Google employees gather in a courtyard as they take part in a walkout from their jobs at the Google campus in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, which is about 11 miles from the city of Seattle, across Lake Washington

Google employees in Seattle, Washington carry signs that read, 'No one is free when others are oppressed' and 'Did the payoff pay off?' during the global walkout on Thursday

Google employees in Seattle, Washington carry signs that read, ‘No one is free when others are oppressed’ and ‘Did the payoff pay off?’ during the global walkout on Thursday

Alice Lemieux (right) addresses fellow Google employees as they take part in a protest against what they said is the tech company's mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against executives on Thursday in Seattle, Washington

Alice Lemieux (right) addresses fellow Google employees as they take part in a protest against what they said is the tech company’s mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against executives on Thursday in Seattle, Washington

A Google employee in Seattle holds up a cardboard sign that reads '#GoogleWalkout' on Thursday in Seattle during a protest

A Google employee in Seattle holds up a cardboard sign that reads ‘#GoogleWalkout’ on Thursday in Seattle during a protest

Rubin said he had no knowledge of any investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct that was being conducted at the time of his departure from Google

Rubin tweeted on October 25:

‘The New York Times story contains numerous inaccuracies about my employment at Google and wild exaggerations about my compensation.

‘Specifically, I never coerced a woman to have sex in a hotel room. These false allegations are part of a smear campaign to disparage me during a divorce and custody battle. 

‘Also, I am deeply troubled that anonymous Google executives are commenting about my personnel file and misrepresenting the facts.’

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 

Google employees are shown here walking out of work in Chicago in protest of the tech company's  corporate culture

Google employees are shown here walking out of work in Chicago in protest of the tech company’s  corporate culture

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 

Google Inc., employees stage a walkout in their call for a safe workplace outside the Kendall Square MBTA station in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Google Inc., employees stage a walkout in their call for a safe workplace outside the Kendall Square MBTA station in Cambridge, Massachusetts

A Silicon Valley congresswoman tweeted her support of the Google walkout using the hashtag '#MeToo' that is now synonymous with a global movement for fighting sexual misconduct; Google employees walking out in Cambridge on Thursday carry a sign feature the name of their demonstration, 'Walkout for Real Change'

A Silicon Valley congresswoman tweeted her support of the Google walkout using the hashtag ‘#MeToo’ that is now synonymous with a global movement for fighting sexual misconduct; Google employees walking out in Cambridge on Thursday carry a sign feature the name of their demonstration, ‘Walkout for Real Change’

Google employees in Cambridge, Massachusetts carry signs that read 'safe workplace' and 'workers rights are women's rights' during the global demonstration against the company's handling of sexual misconduct claims on Thursday

Google employees in Cambridge, Massachusetts carry signs that read ‘safe workplace’ and ‘workers rights are women’s rights’ during the global demonstration against the company’s handling of sexual misconduct claims on Thursday

Allegations that were reported against Rubin to the company before he resigned spurred this protest in part, thanks to a report by the New York Times that named several men at Google who are accused of inappropriate workplace behavior; Google employee protesters are shown in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Allegations that were reported against Rubin to the company before he resigned spurred this protest in part, thanks to a report by the New York Times that named several men at Google who are accused of inappropriate workplace behavior; Google employee protesters are shown in Cambridge, Massachusetts

A Google employee who walked out in Cambridge, Massachusetts carries a sign that reads, 'I support non-hostile workplace'

A Google employee who walked out in Cambridge, Massachusetts carries a sign that reads, ‘I support non-hostile workplace’

Employees listen to fellow employee Natasha Ross (left) during a walkout calling for a safe workplace in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Thursday

Employees listen to fellow employee Natasha Ross (left) during a walkout calling for a safe workplace in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Thursday

Ross (with megaphone) speaks to her fellow Google co-workers during a walkout calling for a safe workplace in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Thursday

Ross (with megaphone) speaks to her fellow Google co-workers during a walkout calling for a safe workplace in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Thursday

Despite Rubin’s denials, the global walkout was carried on Thursday, with Google employee protesters in New York seen carying signs that read, ‘Equity means always getting to keep the change,’ and ‘OK, Google Really?’ 

Another protester carried a piece of paper with the words, ‘OK, Google Set a time for ‘Up,” as they walked out of the office building located in Chelsea on 8th Avenue.

The same story publicizing the claims against Rubin also disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct of other executives, including Richard DeVaul, a director at the same Google-affiliated lab that created far-flung projects such as self-driving cars and internet-beaming balloons. 

DeVaul had remained at the ‘X’ lab after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced about him from 2013, claiming he told an job applicant that he and his wife were polyamorous and invited her to Burning Man during an interview, a festival that takes place in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada and is known for nudity and drug use.

 DeVaul resigned on Tuesday without severance and apologized for an ‘error of judgment’ in a statement.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 

Google employees walk off the job to protest the company's lenient treatment of executives accused of sexual misconduct on Thursday in New York

Google employees walk off the job to protest the company’s lenient treatment of executives accused of sexual misconduct on Thursday in New York

The same story publicizing the claims against Rubin also disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct of other executives, including Richard DeVaul, a director at the same Google-affiliated lab that created far-flung projects such as self-driving cars and internet-beaming balloons; Google employee protesters participate in the walkout in New York on Thursday 

The same story publicizing the claims against Rubin also disclosed allegations of sexual misconduct of other executives, including Richard DeVaul, a director at the same Google-affiliated lab that created far-flung projects such as self-driving cars and internet-beaming balloons; Google employee protesters participate in the walkout in New York on Thursday 

A massive group of New York Google workers stand outside in a 14th street park after walking out as part of a global protest over workplace issues on Thursday

A massive group of New York Google workers stand outside in a 14th street park after walking out as part of a global protest over workplace issues on Thursday

The crowd from the New York Google walkout was a diverse mixture of men and women standing in solidarity on Thursday

The crowd from the New York Google walkout was a diverse mixture of men and women standing in solidarity on Thursday

Google protesters walked through an arch at a 14th street park in New York City to gather during their walkout on Thursday

Google protesters walked through an arch at a 14th street park in New York City to gather during their walkout on Thursday

A woman in New York carried a sign that read, 'Respect existence or expect resistance' during Thursday's Google walkout

A woman in New York carried a sign that read, ‘Respect existence or expect resistance’ during Thursday’s Google walkout

A large crowd of people gather at a park on 14th street after walking out of New York's Google offices on Thursday

A large crowd of people gather at a park on 14th street after walking out of New York’s Google offices on Thursday

A New Yorker carrying a 'Not OK Google' sign participates in the Google employee walkout over office culture on Thursday

A New Yorker carrying a ‘Not OK Google’ sign participates in the Google employee walkout over office culture on Thursday

Google employee protestors in New York carried signs that read, 'Equity means always getting to keep the change'

Google employee protestors in New York carried signs that read, ‘Equity means always getting to keep the change’

Google employees in New York are shown at the start of their walkout, which kicked off at 11.10am Eastern time on Thursday

Google employees in New York are shown at the start of their walkout, which kicked off at 11.10am Eastern time on Thursday

The crowd of fed-up New York Google employees are shown crossing the street aware from the office on Thursday

The crowd of fed-up New York Google employees are shown crossing the street aware from the office on Thursday

A long line of Google employee protesters line the sidewalk as they left work on Thursday at 11.10am local time in New York

A long line of Google employee protesters line the sidewalk as they left work on Thursday at 11.10am local time in New York

Google employees stage a walkout on Thursday in New York, over sexual harassment within the organization

Google employees stage a walkout on Thursday in New York, over sexual harassment within the organization

Women participating in New York's Google walkout carried signs that read, 'Worker's rights are women's rights' and 'Time's up tech' during the global walkout on Thursday, protesting the company's protection of executives accused of sexual assault

Women participating in New York’s Google walkout carried signs that read, ‘Worker’s rights are women’s rights’ and ‘Time’s up tech’ during the global walkout on Thursday, protesting the company’s protection of executives accused of sexual assault

The sidewalk in New York is completely filled with Google employees leaving the office to participate in the global protest

The sidewalk in New York is completely filled with Google employees leaving the office to participate in the global protest

A New York Google employee carries a sign that reads, 'Real change means that everyone is accountable' on Thursday

A New York Google employee carries a sign that reads, ‘Real change means that everyone is accountable’ on Thursday

A New York Google employee carries a sign that says, 'OK, Google Really?' while walking out in the global protest on Thursday

A New York Google employee carries a sign that says, ‘OK, Google Really?’ while walking out in the global protest on Thursday

Another protester carried a piece of paper with the words, 'OK, Google Set a time for "Up,"' as they walked out of the office building located in Chelsea on 8th Avenue in New York

Another protester carried a piece of paper with the words, ‘OK, Google Set a time for ‘Up,” as they walked out of the office building located in Chelsea on 8th Avenue in New York

A few New York Google employees trickle out of the office on Thursday during the global walkout protest

A few New York Google employees trickle out of the office on Thursday during the global walkout protest

A female Google employee walks out of the office with a look of sadness on her face during Thursday's walkout

A female Google employee walks out of the office with a look of sadness on her face during Thursday’s walkout

 A New York Google employee carries a sign reading, '90 million reasons for change' during the walkout on Thursday

 A New York Google employee carries a sign reading, ’90 million reasons for change’ during the walkout on Thursday

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said in an email: 'In the last two years, 48 people have been terminated for sexual harassment, including 13 who were senior managers and above;' Pichai is seen here speaking at the New York Times DealBook conference on  Thursday in New York City

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said in an email: ‘In the last two years, 48 people have been terminated for sexual harassment, including 13 who were senior managers and above;’ Pichai is seen here speaking at the New York Times DealBook conference on  Thursday in New York City

The story also named former senior vice president Amit Singhal, who was accused in 2015 of groping an employee at an off-site event attended by many Google colleagues.

The company investigated the claim and found it to be credible.

Singhal was not fired, but was instead allowed to resign and given millions of dollars in an exit package that included a non-compete agreement.  

Singhal’s public explanation for his departure came in the form of a blog post from February 2016, which said hewanted to focus more on philanthropy and his family.

In response to the Times story, Pichai and Eileen Naughton, VP people operations, sent a memo to employees, which read in part:

‘In the last two years, 48 people have been terminated for sexual harassment, including 13 who were senior managers and above. None of these individuals received an exit package.’ 

In the joint memo, Pichai said he found the revelations ‘difficult to read.’ 

 Pichai said on Thursday at the DealBook confernce that Google is ‘a different place’ than it has been in years past, and now the company has ‘drawn a very hard line’ on the kind of inappropriate behavior that has been reported in recent years. 

He noted, however, that ‘moments like this show we didn’t always do it right.’

‘Sexual harassment is a societal problem and Google is a large company,’ he said. ‘We are definitely doing our best.’

TORONTO, CANADA 

A Google employee reads from a list of accounts from other employees during a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

A Google employee reads from a list of accounts from other employees during a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

The crowd listens intently to accounts from other employees during a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

The crowd listens intently to accounts from other employees during a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

Google employees came out in the rain to protest against mishandling of sexual misconduct in a walkout in Toronto

Google employees came out in the rain to protest against mishandling of sexual misconduct in a walkout in Toronto

Google employees gather under a tree as others read from a list of personal accounts during a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

Google employees gather under a tree as others read from a list of personal accounts during a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

Google employees around the world walked off the job Thursday in a protest against what they said is the tech company's mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against executives

Google employees around the world walked off the job Thursday in a protest against what they said is the tech company’s mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against executives

Google employees return to the company's office in Canada following a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

Google employees return to the company’s office in Canada following a walkout in Toronto on Thursday

But one Google employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told BuzzFeed News: 

‘Personally, I’m furious. I feel like there’s a pattern of powerful men getting away with awful behavior towards women at Google’ or if they don’t get away with it, they get a slap on the wrist, or they get sent away with a golden parachute, like Andy Rubin.

‘And it’s a leadership of mostly men making the decisions about what kind of consequences to give, or not give.’ 

DUBLIN, IRELAND 

Google employees at its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, join others from around the world walking out of their offices in protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the company

Google employees at its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, join others from around the world walking out of their offices in protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the company

A Silicon Valley congresswoman tweeted her support of the Google walkout using the hashtag '#MeToo' that is now synonymous with a global movement for fighting sexual misconduct; Google employees walk out of its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

A Silicon Valley congresswoman tweeted her support of the Google walkout using the hashtag ‘#MeToo’ that is now synonymous with a global movement for fighting sexual misconduct; Google employees walk out of its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

Thursday’s workout could signal that a significant number of the 94,000 employees working for Google and its corporate parent Alphabet Inc. remained unconvinced the company is doing enough to adhere to Alphabet’s own mantra, urging all employees to ‘do the right thing;’ Google employees are shown walking out in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

Following Rubin leaving Google four years ago in 2014 to create Playground Global, a sexual assault claim was reported to Google's human resources department and subsequently an investigation was opened; Employees are seen here staging for their walkout outside of Google offices in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

Following Rubin leaving Google four years ago in 2014 to create Playground Global, a sexual assault claim was reported to Google’s human resources department and subsequently an investigation was opened; Employees are seen here staging for their walkout outside of Google offices in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

Men and women walk out of the Dublin, Ireland Google office on Thursday in protest of the handling of sexual assault claims

Men and women walk out of the Dublin, Ireland Google office on Thursday in protest of the handling of sexual assault claims

Walkout organizers said they have presented petitions and demanded stricter employee oversights to management, while some even left their positions at the company as way to express their disapproval.

The company executives said Google has taken an ‘increasingly hard line’ on misconduct by senior managers and offered employees avenues to report harassment anonymously.  

‘We are committed to ensuring that Google is a workplace where you can feel safe to do your best work, and where there are serious consequences for anyone who behaves inappropriately,’ the memo read.  

Google said that none of the nearly 50 people fired for sexual harassment in the past two years got an exit package; Employees are shown here walking out of the Google office in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday  in protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the tech giant

Google said that none of the nearly 50 people fired for sexual harassment in the past two years got an exit package; Employees are shown here walking out of the Google office in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday  in protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the tech giant

A man wearing a Google slogan T-shirt that reads 'don't be evil' hands out doughnuts to workers standing outside Google's European headquarters after they walked out as part of a global protest over workplace issues, in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

A man wearing a Google slogan T-shirt that reads ‘don’t be evil’ hands out doughnuts to workers standing outside Google’s European headquarters after they walked out as part of a global protest over workplace issues, in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

People embrace outside of the Google European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, during the protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the tech giant

People embrace outside of the Google European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, during the protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the tech giant

A crowd of people smiles in Dubin, Ireland, during the mass walk out of Google employees on Thursday

A crowd of people smiles in Dubin, Ireland, during the mass walk out of Google employees on Thursday

People in orange vests are seen standing among the crowd, as photographers document the Google walkout in Dublin

People in orange vests are seen standing among the crowd, as photographers document the Google walkout in Dublin

'And it¿s a leadership of mostly men making the decisions about what kind of consequences to give, or not give,' an anonymous Google employee told Buzzfeed News; A walkout from Google is shown in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

‘And it’s a leadership of mostly men making the decisions about what kind of consequences to give, or not give,’ an anonymous Google employee told Buzzfeed News; A walkout from Google is shown in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday

Rubin left Google four years ago in 2014 to create Playground Global, an incubator for hardware startups.

Shortly before his exit, a claim accusing Rubin of coercing a woman into performing oral sex in a hotel room in 2013 was reported to Google’s human resources department and an investigation was opened.

Just a few weeks into the investigation, Rubin was given an additional stock package of $150million in September of 2014.

According to the Times, that stock package was unusually high by Google’s standards. 

Eventually, Google officials found the woman’s claim to be credible. 

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND 

A Google employee told Buzzfeed News: 'I feel like there¿s a pattern of powerful men getting away with awful behavior towards women at Google¿ or if they don¿t get away with it, they get a slap on the wrist, or they get sent away with a golden parachute, like Andy Rubin;' Employee protestors are shown here walking out of Google in Zurich, Switzerland

A Google employee told Buzzfeed News: ‘I feel like there’s a pattern of powerful men getting away with awful behavior towards women at Google’ or if they don’t get away with it, they get a slap on the wrist, or they get sent away with a golden parachute, like Andy Rubin;’ Employee protestors are shown here walking out of Google in Zurich, Switzerland

LONDON, ENGLAND 

Organizers said they have presented petitions and demanded stricter employee oversights to management, while some even left their positions at the company as way to express their disapproval; The Google offices in Granary Square, London are shown here, where members of staff staged a walkout as a part of a protest over the company's treatment

Organizers said they have presented petitions and demanded stricter employee oversights to management, while some even left their positions at the company as way to express their disapproval; The Google offices in Granary Square, London are shown here, where members of staff staged a walkout as a part of a protest over the company’s treatment

Employees are seen here outside of Google's office in London, ahead of their walkout on Thursday

Employees are seen here outside of Google’s office in London, ahead of their walkout on Thursday

Google executives said the company has taken an 'increasingly hard line' on misconduct by senior managers; Employees are shown in London on Thursday before their walk out in protest of the handling of such claims

Google executives said the company has taken an ‘increasingly hard line’ on misconduct by senior managers; Employees are shown in London on Thursday before their walk out in protest of the handling of such claims

A woman wears a shirt that reads, ' Women need more sleep than men because fighting the patriarchy is exhausting'

A woman wears a shirt that reads, ‘ Women need more sleep than men because fighting the patriarchy is exhausting’

London Google employees wait outside during the time leading up to a walkout in protest of company culture on Thursday

London Google employees wait outside during the time leading up to a walkout in protest of company culture on Thursday

Google employees stand together outside of the company's office int he United Kingdom on Thursday

Google employees stand together outside of the company’s office int he United Kingdom on Thursday

Rubin was later asked to resign by Google’s co-founder, Larry Page, which he did in October of 2014.

But Page, who was chief executive of Google at the time, praised Rubin upon his departure.

‘I want to wish Andy all the best with what’s next,’ Page said. ‘With Android he created something truly remarkable — with a billion-plus happy users.’

And despite the credible claim, Rubin was reportedly paid the $90million exit package in the form of monthly payments ranging from $1.25million to $2.5million over the course of four years.

 A large crowd is formed with people carrying umbrellas and braving the weather to walk out of Google in London on Thursday

 A large crowd is formed with people carrying umbrellas and braving the weather to walk out of Google in London on Thursday

A woman is seen talking on her phone as people talk and mingle preparing for the Google walkout in London on Thursday

A woman is seen talking on her phone as people talk and mingle preparing for the Google walkout in London on Thursday

Rubin is accused of coercing the woman into performing oral sex in a hotel room in 2013; Google staff are shown walking out at the company's UK headquarters in London on Thursday

Rubin is accused of coercing the woman into performing oral sex in a hotel room in 2013; Google staff are shown walking out at the company’s UK headquarters in London on Thursday

People are shown wearing jackets as they leave the Google office in London in protest over how the company handles claims of sexual misconduct within the organization

People are shown wearing jackets as they leave the Google office in London in protest over how the company handles claims of sexual misconduct within the organization

London Google employees walk about outside of the office, in the midst of the walkout to protest company culture

London Google employees walk about outside of the office, in the midst of the walkout to protest company culture

London Google employees check their phones and converse during the walkout held at the England office on Thursday

London Google employees check their phones and converse during the walkout held at the England office on Thursday

Rubin was also loaned $14 million in 2012 by Google to purchase a luxurious  seaside villa in Japan (shown)

Rubin was also loaned $14 million in 2012 by Google to purchase a luxurious  seaside villa in Japan (shown)

People briefed on the transaction said the loan for the estate was offered at an interest rate of less than one percent

People briefed on the transaction said the loan for the estate was offered at an interest rate of less than one percent

The terms of the separation agreement precluded Rubin from working for Google’s rivals or disparaging the company in public.

The agreement also delayed repayment of the $14 million loan Rubin obtained from Google, which he used to buy a seaside Japanese villa, which was already offered at the incredibly low interest rate of less than one percent.

The same villa, which is less than 90 minutes from Tokyo and is referred to as Galleria Cost, was listed for rent 126 days ago. 

According to the Times, Rubin’s ex-wife, Rie, filed a civil suit this month.

In the suit, she claimed he had multiple ‘ownership relationships’ with other women during their marriage and paid the women hundreds of thousands of dollars. They finalized their divorce in August.

The same villa, which is less than 90 minutes from Tokyo and is referred to as Galleria Cost, was listed for rent 126 days ago

The same villa, which is less than 90 minutes from Tokyo and is referred to as Galleria Cost, was listed for rent 126 days ago

Google Chief Executive’s response to sexual misconduct revelations

Hi everyone,

Today’s story in the New York Times was difficult to read.

We are dead serious about making sure we provide a safe and inclusive workplace. We want to assure you that we review every single complaint about sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct, we investigate and we take action.

In recent years, we’ve made a number of changes, including taking an increasingly hard line on inappropriate conduct by people in positions of authority: in the last two years, 48 people have been terminated for sexual harassment, including 13 who were senior managers and above. None of these individuals received an exit package.

In 2015, we launched Respect@ and our annual Internal Investigations Report to provide transparency about these types of investigations at Google. Because we know that reporting harassment can be traumatic, we provide confidential channels to share any inappropriate behavior you experience or see. We support and respect those who have spoken out. You can find many ways to do this at go/saysomething. You can make a report anonymously if you wish.

We’ve also updated our policy to require all VPs and SVPs to disclose any relationship with a co-worker regardless of reporting line or presence of conflict.

We are committed to ensuring that Google is a workplace where you can feel safe to do your best work, and where there are serious consequences for anyone who behaves inappropriately.

Sundar and Eileen

A screenshot of an August 2015 email Rubin reportedly sent to one woman was also included in the suit. 

‘You will be happy being taken care of,’ he wrote, according to the Times. ‘Being owned is kinda like you are my property, and I can loan you to other people.’  

A spokesperson for Rubin said he denied any misconduct and he had not been made aware of the claims when he left in 2014.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk