Google to Implement A New Desk-Sharing Model, Plans to Downsize Its Real Estate Footprint

Giant technology company Google has recently announced plans to implement a new desk-sharing model as it seeks to downsize its real estate footprint amid broader cutting, although it has not specified regions or building it plans on downsizing.

Google revealed that they have mapped out efficient ways employees can share desks, noting that various employees at the company would come in on alternate days so that they will not be at the same desk on the same day.

The company wrote via a statement, “Most Googlers will now share a desk with one other Googler, as we expect employees to come in on alternate days, so they are not at the same desk on the same day. Through the matching process, they will agree on a basic desk setup and establish norms with their desk partner and teams to ensure a positive experience in the shared environment”.

Google further added that employers who show up at the office on an unassigned day will be mandated to use the overflow drop-in space.

Reports reveal that the new desk-sharing model will apply to Google Cloud’s five largest U.S. locations, Washington, New York City, Kirkland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Sunnyvale California.

Leadership at the company labeled the seating arrangement as “Cloud Office Evolution” or “CLOE” which describes combining the best of pre-pandemic collaboration with flexibility.

Investors King understands that following Google desk-sharing model, the company has conducted surveys with cloud employees to explore different hybrid work models and rotational models to offer guaranteed in-person collaboration among employees while allowing them to use spaces more efficiently.

Recall that earlier this month, Google’s parent company Alphabet during the company’s most recent earnings call, revealed that it expects to spend $500 million this quarter in exit costs to close offices and cut leases. The move aligns with a slowdown in hiring and labor cuts announced last month, amounting to approximately 12,000 layoffs.

The company however disclosed that the planned restructuring this quarter will mostly target unoccupied or under-utilized Bay area leases where the company has surplus space.