A Google insider spills the tea on how the company forsook its founding ideals
Claire Stapleton's new book, Don't Be Evil , recounts her journey from company cheerleader to outspoken dissident.
In 2018, a group of 20,000 Google employees worldwide sparked controversy by going on strike to voice their concerns about the company's handling of sexual misconduct allegations against top executives and other issues. One of the key organizers was Claire Stapleton, a communications specialist who was once referred to internally as the "Bard of Google" due to her unique ability to embody the company's ethos.
Not long after, Stapleton left her position at Google, alleging she had been demoted during a recent restructuring as punishment for leading the strike. Her story of transitioning from an eager advocate to a vocal critic, along with the valuable lessons she gleaned over her time at Google, is detailed in her newly published memoir, "Don't Be Evil: Bad Bosses, Fake Promises, and My Escape from Big Tech—A Biting Memoir of Twelve Years Inside Google."
Initially drawn to Google in 2007 like a moth to a flame, Stapleton couldn't have anticipated the turmoil that awaited her, despite recognizing the immense opportunities she had been afforded.
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