Google will allow employees to move between states in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In an email obtained by The Verge, the company’s people director, Fiona Cicconi, said workers could “apply for relocation without justification” and that those handling the applications would be “aware of the situation”. Cicconi also reminded workers that the benefit plan for Google employees covers medical procedures that are not available in the state where they live and work.
“This is a profound change for the country that is deeply affecting many of us, especially women. Everyone will respond in their own way, whether they want space and time to process, talk, volunteer outside of work, not want to talk about it at all, or something else completely, “Cicconi says in the email.” Everyone will respond to their way, whether it’s wanting space and time to process, talking, volunteering outside of work, not wanting to talk about it at all, or something else entirely ”.
The Supreme Court’s decision to quash Roe v. Wade as part of his judgment in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. According to an analysis published by The New York Times in May, up to 28 states could ban or severely restrict access to abortions in the following days and weeks. Some states like Texas had so-called activating laws in place that went into effect immediately after Friday’s decision.
The effects of such a monumental change in American politics have been felt through technology. A few hours after the Supreme Court announced its decision, Flo, one of the most widely used period tracking apps, said it would introduce a new “anonymous mode” in response to privacy concerns after the ruling. Some companies like Meta have also told employees not to openly discuss the sentence.
Update 16:57 ET: Google confirmed the authenticity of the email and told Engadget that it has not changed its reassignment policy since the Supreme Court ruling.
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