Google cuts staff

SEARCH OUTFIT Google has secretly told shedloads of its temporary workers to go and find jobs somewhere else.

A recent austerity drive, spurred by the recession, has meant that Google can't be bothered hiring more temporary staff despite the fact it is planning to spend billions of dollars during the next two years on product research, development and acquisitions.

The filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission was submitted on December 15 but since the high tech organisation sent it on paper it was not noticed by her Majesty's Loyal Press who tend to spot these things by visiting websites.

While a cut in temporary workers might not be noticed in many companies, Google hires a large chunk of its workforce on temporary contracts. As far as Google is concerned, they don't seem to count.

Google revealed it currently has 24,400 employees, including 4,300 interns, temporary workers and contractors. In October the company had 10,000 contractors which co-founder Sergey Brin said was really high.

Late last year Google said it was giving a large number of its 10,000 contractors their marching orders to keep all the permie staff in jobs.

So adding up the difference in the numbers it would appear that 5,700 temporary Googlers have gone.

The company's revenue is still rising, but its growth has been decelerating as Internet advertisers have trimmed their marketing budgets. The company expects to make $US20 billion in 2008. µ

L'Inq
AP