WGEA Gender Pay Gap Report 2024: Google Australia Employer Statement
At Google Australia, we're committed to building innovative products and services that benefit everyone. We know that the best technology comes from teams that reflect the variety of our users – it's essential to our mission. That's why we’re committed to working with the broader industry to increase representation and close the gender pay gap.
Pay integrity at Google
Creating a work environment where everyone can thrive is critical to everything we do at Google, and that extends to our pay processes. Things like compensation, performance ratings, and promotions should be based on what you do, not who you are. Our pay outcomes are the result of a robust compensation process. When we calculate employee pay, we consider variables such as the market rate for individual roles, their level within the company, promotion history, and their performance rating.
Our compensation review process involves using data to make structured decisions, training people to be aware of and prevent bias and ensuring that decision-making takes multiple perspectives into account. We complete post-planning audits after managers finish compensation planning for teams, allowing us to identify any significant pay differences between Googlers who are doing the same job at the same level. This proactive approach helps us prevent any unexplained pay disparity. As a result, we're confident that when accounting for role, level, and performance, there are no statistically significant pay differences amongst Googlers.
Progress and our ongoing commitment
While the 2023-24 WGEA report highlights a gender pay gap for Google Australia, it’s important to note that this primarily reflects a representation gap across different roles and levels, particularly in technical and leadership positions where we have more men than women, rather than disparities in pay for similar work. Our base salaries reflect our commitment to consistent pay outcomes, with average and median figures for men and women in comparable roles falling within WGEA's optimal -5% to +5% range.
We know there is more work to be done, and we're committed to making Google a place where every Googler can do their best work. Here are some of the things we’re doing to help us achieve this:
- External Accreditation: Google Australia is now a certified Family Inclusive Workplace, recognising our commitment to developing leading policies and practices in flexible work, parental leave, family care, and wellbeing.
- External Partnerships: Google Australia is taking part in IDEATE, a Project Include initiative, to improve representation in the technology sector. IDEATE aims to ensure the Australian tech workforce reflects our population by supporting programs that break down systemic barriers.
- Family-Building Support: Financial reimbursements for Googlers for fertility treatments (egg freezing, IVF, IUI), adoption, and surrogacy. 24/7 access to unlimited parental support via video appointments with experts in 35+ specialties.
- Baby Bonding Leave: Up to 18 weeks for expectant parents (adoption, surrogacy, childbirth, fostering) and partners.
- Ramp-Back Time: Up to 2 weeks of paid reduced schedule for parents returning from leave (maternity, adoption, fostering, baby bonding).
- Flexible Working: Google offers a range of flexible working options, including part-time and job share, to support Googlers personal and career goals.
- Employee Support: Active Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) like Women@, Parents & Caregivers, Pride@, and Disability Alliance exist to help to build an inclusive workplace.
Looking ahead
Over the coming years, we’ll continue to invest in programs that support our Googlers, build a respectful culture, and ensure the right opportunities for everyone at Google Australia. We believe that by working together, we can create a workplace where all Googlers can reach their full potential. To learn more about our global efforts to ensure every Googler feels like they belong, you can head over to belonging.google.com.
