Last month, it was revealed that Google CEO Sundar Pichai earned $226 million in compensation in 2022. Close to $218 million were in stock awards and the rest was salary and other income. The figure, it seems, hasn’t gone down well with some Google employees. According to a report by CNBC, Google’s internal communication channels are full of messages and memes taking a dig at Pichai’s compensation.

A pay cut is what some employees wanted

As per the report, several memes are circulating among employees about Pichai not taking a pay cut when the company has been on a cost cutting overdrive. Google did lay off 12,000 employees earlier this year and several other perks were also removed. This came at a time when it was revealed that Apple CEO Tim Cook voluntarily took a 40% pay cut. Cook wasn’t the only one as Zoom CEO Eric Yuan took a 98% pay cut and refused to take any bonus as well. Zoom had let go off close to 1,300 employees.
Google’ CFO Ruth Porat had sent an email to all employees informing about cost saving measures the company is undertaking. As per the report, one of the memes said, “Ruth’s cost savings applied to everyone… except our hardworking VPS and CEO.” Another meme with a Shrek character in it said, “Sundar accepting $226 million while laying off 12k Googlers, cutting perks, and destroying morale and culture.”
In 2022, at an all-hands meeting Pichai was addressing employees about the company cutting certain benefits. He said that “we shouldn’t always equate fun with money.” At the same meeting, he was asked about whether senior company executives will also see their compensation cut but he didn’t really answer the question.
On his part, Pichai did say that he takes “full responsibility” for the layoffs and the financial situation the company finds itself in.