Google is closing some bars “until further notice” because it cuts costs

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Google is closing some of its cafes “until further notice,” according to reminders sent Wednesday. Google has cut costs this year through layoffs and cutting other employee benefits. Google’s cafeterias with free meals have become one of the company’s most famous perks.

As part of its plan to cut costs this year, Google is closing some of its cafes “until further notice.”

Cafes on Google’s campuses are some of the search giant’s most famous employee perks as workers get access to free lunches. Many cafes will still be open “at their current levels of service,” but some will be closed on certain days and others will be closed entirely “until further notice,” according to Wednesday reminders sent to staff and viewed by Insider. These changes will go into effect on April 24.

“We looked at quantitative information such as the number of people arriving, bar capacity and serving hours, as well as qualitative details such as the variety of menus and nearby dining options,” wrote Michael Bakker, vice president of the Google’s global workplace programs. the reminders.

Google first announced the company’s plans to reduce hours at some cafes and consolidate some MicroKitchens in March, Insider reported earlier, saying there are “areas where we will make savings that will impact some services that Googlers use at work and beyond.”

“As we have stated publicly, we have a corporate goal to realize lasting savings through increased speed and efficiency,” Google spokesman Ryan Lamont said in a statement. “As part of this, we are making some policy changes to help us remain responsible stewards of our resources, while continuing to deliver industry-leading benefits, benefits and services.”

At Google’s Mountain View, California campus, where it is headquartered, 34 cafés will continue at their current capacity. Cafes named Steam, Costa, Go!, Slice and Deja Brew Hub, and some lunchtime food trucks, will be “closed until further notice.” Other cafes called Mint & Parsley, Beefsteak, Pixel, Backyard and Cache will only be open Tuesday through Thursday.

On the Google campus in Sunnyvale, California, where many of its Cloud offices are located, 18 cafés will continue to maintain current service levels. Cafés named Till Café, Java Corner, Share, Fresh Market, Cornerstone and lunchtime food trucks will be “closed until further notice”. Other cafes, called Marketplace and Jiating, will only be open Tuesday through Thursday, while 1212 Hub will be open Monday through Thursday.

On both campuses, Google’s MicroKitchens will be updated to reflect how much they are currently being used. Google also plans to adjust fitness, massage and shuttle programs based on how employees use them by April 17, the memo said.

Google also plans to reduce costs through more efficient use of data centers and ways to train AI models, as well as reduce how often staff can update their work devices, Insider reported earlier. The company began laying off 12,000 employees in January, which it said was the result of over-hiring and a “different economic reality.”

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