Google employees walk out
A global walkout by Google employees in November over the company's response to sexual misconduct allegations was hailed by many as a new generation of worker activism.
"This isn't the trade union strike of old," wrote Bloomberg columnist Noah Feldman. " Google's employees were signaling to management that they feel serious unhappiness with the corporate and general culture in which the instances of harassment occurred and were, essentially, covered up."
The wage gap, the #MeToo movement, inclusion and discrimination, parental leave and so many more issues created PR challenges for some of the country's top employers this year. Take a look at the highlights.
Hostess gives free snacks
How companies were going to spend their windfall tax breaks was the question on everyone's mind as the year began. Several companies, including Walmart and Starbucks, increased wages and expanded benefits. Beloved snackmaker Hostess offered one-time bonuses to all employees, as well as a year's worth of free snacks.
SurveyMonkey expands benefits to contract workers
As the gig economy grows in prominence, this issue of who gets employee benefits will also become something of a sticky wicket. Recognizing the value of this flexible workforce--and responding to concerns from its own employees about its welfare--SurveyMonkey announced in April that it would extend benefits to workers employed by three of its contract companies.
Walmart to foot tuition bills
In an effort to reduce turnover and improve its company image, Walmart announced this year that it would subsidize college tuition, books and fees for 1.5 million full- and part-time workers at their choice of one of three schools. Starbucks instituted a similar program three years ago, and McDonald's announced earlier this year that it would increase funding for its employee tuition benefits, as well.
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The U.S. Senate welcomes a newborn
Okay, so the U.S. government isn't technically a company, but we still think Sen. Duckworth deserves some recognition for bringing national attention not just to the lack of accommodations for new moms in government, but lack of accommodations for new moms in any workplace.
Uber loses its HR exec
Though 2019 has been relatively quiet compared to previous scandal-plagued years, Uber showed it still has a lot of work to do. Head of human resources Liane Hornsey resigned following assertions that Hornsey ignored internal allegations of racial discrimination.
Facebook faces class-action suit over age discrimination
Facebook and a slew of its advertisers were caught up in a complaint filed by the Communications Workers of America alleging that the company's algorithms disproportionately targeted ads at younger workers. Not only was Facebook accused of using its age-filtering function to target potential employees, but Amazon.com, Cox Media Group, T-Mobile, Ikea and a list of other companies were accused of doing the same. The suit should serve as a cautionary tale for any employers looking to use the platform to advertise a job.
Starbucks adds babysitting benefits
As companies across the country double down on improving parental leave policies, Starbucks will continue to be one step ahead. In October, the company announced it would pay for up to 10 days of backup childcare per year for its employees, to be used in instances when the employee's regular childcare arrangement falls through.
Tesla's CEO goes off the rails
Twitter seems to be the platform of choice for people in power sound off on whatever they feel like, but company execs need take note of the potential ramifications. Tesla CEO Elon Musk came under fire this year for a series of "false and misleading" tweets related to company financing that ultimately earned him a $40 million penalty from the SEC and cost him his spot as Tesla chairman.
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Amazon raises its minimum wage
In October, Amazon announced it would increase its minimum wage to $15 for all employees, effective November 1. The move was likely driven by a slew of negative PR and pressure, including a report on the number of Amazon workers on food stamps and Bernie Sanders' not-so-subtle Stop BEZOS bill.
Google employees walk out
A global walkout by Google employees in November over the company's response to sexual misconduct allegations was hailed by many as a new generation of worker activism.
"This isn't the trade union strike of old," wrote Bloomberg columnist Noah Feldman. " Google's employees were signaling to management that they feel serious unhappiness with the corporate and general culture in which the instances of harassment occurred and were, essentially, covered up."
The wage gap, the #MeToo movement, inclusion and discrimination, parental leave and so many more issues created PR challenges for some of the country's top employers this year. Take a look at the highlights.
Hostess gives free snacks
How companies were going to spend their windfall tax breaks was the question on everyone's mind as the year began. Several companies, including Walmart and Starbucks, increased wages and expanded benefits. Beloved snackmaker Hostess offered one-time bonuses to all employees, as well as a year's worth of free snacks.
SurveyMonkey expands benefits to contract workers
As the gig economy grows in prominence, this issue of who gets employee benefits will also become something of a sticky wicket. Recognizing the value of this flexible workforce--and responding to concerns from its own employees about its welfare--SurveyMonkey announced in April that it would extend benefits to workers employed by three of its contract companies.
Walmart to foot tuition bills
In an effort to reduce turnover and improve its company image, Walmart announced this year that it would subsidize college tuition, books and fees for 1.5 million full- and part-time workers at their choice of one of three schools. Starbucks instituted a similar program three years ago, and McDonald's announced earlier this year that it would increase funding for its employee tuition benefits, as well.
Advertisement
The U.S. Senate welcomes a newborn
Okay, so the U.S. government isn't technically a company, but we still think Sen. Duckworth deserves some recognition for bringing national attention not just to the lack of accommodations for new moms in government, but lack of accommodations for new moms in any workplace.
Uber loses its HR exec
Though 2019 has been relatively quiet compared to previous scandal-plagued years, Uber showed it still has a lot of work to do. Head of human resources Liane Hornsey resigned following assertions that Hornsey ignored internal allegations of racial discrimination.
Facebook faces class-action suit over age discrimination
Facebook and a slew of its advertisers were caught up in a complaint filed by the Communications Workers of America alleging that the company's algorithms disproportionately targeted ads at younger workers. Not only was Facebook accused of using its age-filtering function to target potential employees, but Amazon.com, Cox Media Group, T-Mobile, Ikea and a list of other companies were accused of doing the same. The suit should serve as a cautionary tale for any employers looking to use the platform to advertise a job.
Starbucks adds babysitting benefits
As companies across the country double down on improving parental leave policies, Starbucks will continue to be one step ahead. In October, the company announced it would pay for up to 10 days of backup childcare per year for its employees, to be used in instances when the employee's regular childcare arrangement falls through.
Tesla's CEO goes off the rails
Twitter seems to be the platform of choice for people in power sound off on whatever they feel like, but company execs need take note of the potential ramifications. Tesla CEO Elon Musk came under fire this year for a series of "false and misleading" tweets related to company financing that ultimately earned him a $40 million penalty from the SEC and cost him his spot as Tesla chairman.
Advertisement
Amazon raises its minimum wage
In October, Amazon announced it would increase its minimum wage to $15 for all employees, effective November 1. The move was likely driven by a slew of negative PR and pressure, including a report on the number of Amazon workers on food stamps and Bernie Sanders' not-so-subtle Stop BEZOS bill.
Google employees walk out
A global walkout by Google employees in November over the company's response to sexual misconduct allegations was hailed by many as a new generation of worker activism.
"This isn't the trade union strike of old," wrote Bloomberg columnist Noah Feldman. " Google's employees were signaling to management that they feel serious unhappiness with the corporate and general culture in which the instances of harassment occurred and were, essentially, covered up."
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Emily Payne
Emily Payne is director, content analytics for ALM's Business & Finance Markets and former managing editor for BenefitsPRO. A Wisconsin native, she has spent the past decade writing and editing for various athletic and fitness publications. She holds an English degree and Business certificate from the University of Wisconsin.
