A former Google employee has shared his experience of resigning from the tech giant after the company denied his request to relocate in order to care for his ailing father. Jeremy, who worked as a senior program manager for Google Ads, had been with the company for nearly three years when he decided to leave in August 2024.
Initially hired in September 2021, Jeremy was part of a pilot program that allowed employees to work remotely indefinitely. He described the first year and a half as a positive experience, with teams meeting quarterly for offsite gatherings despite working from different locations.
However, the situation changed in June 2023 when Google altered its remote work policy, requiring vice president approval for full-time remote work arrangements. Jeremy’s department began denying new remote work requests and encouraged employees to consolidate in Chicago and Boulder offices.
Jeremy, who was based in Chicago but working remotely, sought to move to Minneapolis to be closer to his family and care for his father, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He submitted his relocation request in March, but it was denied. After providing additional information, his request was rejected again.
Frustrated by the lack of flexibility, Jeremy escalated his request, copying in senior executives including Philipp Schindler, Google’s chief business officer. Despite his efforts, he received only a boilerplate email from the vice president who had denied his request.
The experience left Jeremy disillusioned with Google, feeling that the company had changed significantly since he joined. He expressed a sense of cognitive dissonance, noting that his job was fully remote, making his physical location irrelevant to his work performance.
Jeremy believes that career progression at Google is now tied to office attendance. He recalled advice from his director suggesting that coming into the office would be beneficial for advancing his career. This shift in culture made Jeremy feel that the company was attempting to force out remote employees.
The former Google employee expressed disappointment in the loss of what he once considered a “cool work environment.” He noted the contrast between the flexibility offered during the pandemic, when employees were free to relocate, and the current rigid stance on remote work.
Jeremy’s experience has led him to question the idea that a job would prioritize an employee’s personal circumstances. He now feels somewhat naive for believing that Google was fundamentally different from other companies in this regard.
Google’s spokesperson responded to these claims by stating that promotions are based on impact relative to business priorities and needs, and that remote employees are indeed promoted within the company.
This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding remote work policies in the tech industry. As companies like Google reassess their stance on flexible working arrangements, employees are grappling with the impact on their personal lives and career prospects.
The shift away from the more lenient remote work policies implemented during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for employees who had adjusted their lives accordingly. Jeremy’s story underscores the tension between corporate policies and employees’ personal needs, particularly when it comes to caregiving
responsibilities.
As the tech industry continues to evolve its approach to remote work, stories like Jeremy’s raise questions about the balance between company culture, productivity, and employee well-being. The outcome of these debates may shape the future of work in the tech sector and beyond.