26 Oct 2018

Google sacks dozens over sexual harassment

11:20 am on 26 October 2018

Google says it has sacked 48 people, including 13 senior managers, over sexual harassment claims since 2016.

The logo of Google on the facade of headquarter of the parent company Alphabet.

Photo: AFP

In a letter to employees, chief executive Sundar Pichai said the tech giant was taking a"hard line" on inappropriate conduct.

The letter was in response to a New York Times report that Andy Rubin, creator of Android mobile software, received a $US90m exit package despite facing misconduct allegations.

A spokesman for Mr Rubin, who left the company in 2014, denied misconduct, the newspaper said.

Mr Rubin left the company in 2014. He was given what the paper described as a "hero's farewell".

Mr Pichai's letter said the New York Times story was "difficult to read" and that Google was "dead serious" about providing a "safe and inclusive workplace".

"We want to assure you that we review every single complaint about sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct, we investigate and we take action," it continued.

Shares in Alphabet, which owns Google, fell more than 3% in New York after it reported revenues of $US33.7bn for the three months to September - slightly less than analysts had expected.

However, net profit soared $US2.5bn to $US9.2bn - far higher than expected.

- BBC