In an effort to encourage employees to return to the office, Google is offering discounted hotel stays at its on-campus hotel this summer. The move appears to be a response to recent criticism the company has faced after amending its hybrid working policy.
Under the “Summer Special” offer, Google employees can book a stay at the on-campus hotel for $99 through September 30. The company touts the deal as a way to facilitate the transition to the hybrid workplace, allowing employees to take advantage of the zero-commute benefit and access to on-site amenities, including eateries.
However, the discounted accommodation comes with a caveat: the cost of the stay is equivalent to $3,000 per month, which is similar to the local rental rates. This means that employees who opt to stay at the office hotel for the entire month could potentially spend over $6,000 on accommodation. Additionally, Google specifies that the promotion is not approved for business travel and should be funded by individual employees.
The offer has received mixed reactions from Google employees. Some view it as an interesting opportunity to save on commuting time and expenses, while others find the offer lacking considering the price point. Comments on Google’s internal discussion forum have highlighted that the deal could be more attractive if it were even more affordable or included additional services like food and housekeeping.
Critics have also pointed out that the offer is only applicable to employees working at the Bay View site, limiting its usefulness to those at other locations. Some employees have expressed that the offer might be more appealing if it extended to other work campuses as well.
A Google spokesperson stated that the company frequently offers specials to employees, allowing them to utilize the company’s amenities and spaces. The move highlights Google’s efforts to address the challenges and complexities of transitioning employees back to the physical office environment amid evolving work arrangements and employee preferences.
