Google employees expressed frustration to CEO Sundar Pichai and CFO Ruth Porat over cost cuts and lack of pay raises despite strong profits. Workers reported a significant drop in morale and increased distrust between leadership and staff. The top concern was an absence of meaningful pay bumps while the company hit record earnings. Porat said expenses had outpaced revenue recently, which isn't sustainable. Pichai acknowledged overhiring during COVID and the need to rein in spending now. Pichai outlined growing costs while moderating the pace of spending increases. The meeting followed recent layoffs, return-to-office orders, and protests over military contracts.
