Unbelievable lack of respect for employees at shallow-minded, though smart, company.
Pros
One of the best reasons to work for Google is the educational opportunities it provides. On any given day, there are multiple educational events happening on campus (tech talks, author talks, poltical appearances, job-related educational seminars, etc.), and many attend while simultaneously working on their laptops. Benefits (insurance, food, on-site services) are excellent, and campus-sponsored events (holiday parties, wine tastings) are added bonuses.
Cons
Lack of respect toward other employees, domineering behavior, inappropriate initial placement in the company, extremely poor treatment of employees by management, lack of recognition, barbaric management style, unprofessionalism, sense of entitlement, and generally very poor human behavior. On my first day on the job, I was horrified to find my new manager yelling and treating me in a demeaning way in front of other employees while others simply continued to work. Many employees tend to have a false sense of confidence about their smarts and knowledge base, as evidenced by the smug and arrogant attitudes they seem to have about matters even outside of their fields of expertise. Most employees know only their limited field and role, and do not stop to consider the extent to which life exists outside of their tiny contribution, and Google itself. An extreme emphasis is placed on wealth and material possessions, such that the company culture feels empty, sterile, and mindlessly capitalistic. Chatter around the workplace is vapid and mimics the austere, white-walled atmosphere--this is a company for kids who dare not to dream larger than owning the latest model ipod and roadbike and eventually buying that Tesla and McMansion.
