Google’s Exceptional Death Benefits: A Testament to Employee Care
In a remarkable display of commitment to employee welfare, Google provides its deceased employees with benefits that surpass what many companies offer their living workers. Google’s unique “death benefits” include paying the deceased’s spouse or domestic partner 50% of their salary for 10 years. This extraordinary policy, revealed by Google’s Chief People Officer Laszlo Bock in an interview with Forbes, underscores the company’s dedication to supporting its employees’ families during their most challenging times.
Beyond the salary continuation, Google’s death benefits ensure that all of the deceased employee’s stocks vest immediately. Additionally, each child of the deceased employee receives $1,000 per month until they turn 19, or 23 if they are full-time students. Notably, these benefits are extended to all U.S. employees regardless of their tenure with the company, allowing even the newest employees to receive this support. Google’s commitment is exemplified by its oldest employee, who is currently 83 years old.
While a Google representative declined to provide further details about the policy, Forbes writer Meghan Casserly observed that offering death benefits is a “no-win” situation for the company. However, Bock emphasized that the goal is not corporate gain but rather to provide essential support to families during inevitable life events. “Obviously, there’s no benefit to Google,” Bock said. “But it’s important to the company to help our families through this horrific, if inevitable, life event.”
These death benefits add to Google’s already legendary list of perks, which include free food, foosball tables, on-site dry-cleaning services, and generous parental leave. The company’s perks site even boasts a “Corporate Concierge team” that assists with everyday tasks and unusual requests, such as finding a jewel-encrusted scepter for a special Halloween outfit.
However, Bock prefers not to use the term “perks,” instead viewing these offerings as integral to the company’s philosophy that supporting employees ultimately benefits the company. “There is, of course, research that shows employee benefit programs like ours can improve retention and appear to improve performance on some level,” Bock told Forbes.
In summary, Google’s death benefits are a testament to the company’s deep commitment to its employees and their families. By providing substantial support during times of loss, Google not only sets a high standard for employee care but also reinforces the importance of a compassionate workplace culture.
