Google Behaving Badly

Given that Google is chalk full of Googlaires – the employees that struck it rich when the company when public – perhaps co-founder Sergey Brin thinks it’s time to take back some of the employees cold hard cash.  Google is increasing their onsite daycare costs by 75%.  Employees who were paying $1400 a month in infant care will now pay almost $2500 a month; well over what is considered the market rate.

Perhaps Brin is testing out the economic theory of supply and demand that he learned while studying at Stanford.  Increase the cost to elitist proportions and see how the demand changes.  And it sounds like Google parents are deciding that onsite daycare is no longer a benefit but a burden.  The wait list at the Kinderplex has already dropped by more than 50%. 

Yes, the Kinderplex is a state of the art facility with only the newest toys, the highest educated teachers, and the Reggio Emilia preschool philosophy.  But I am sure most parents would agree that not all kids need all this “extra” stuff to be successful.  Give a preschooler plenty of time to run around, access to building blocks, and a nurturing environment to foster creativity and self-esteem.  The rest is fluff. 

If I was a Google parent, I would have fah-reaked out when I found out that I would be paying more in day care than I pay on my mortgage.  Google is known for its fantastic perks – the free organic lunches, imported bottles of water, and unlimited supply of snacks.  But when it comes to affordable, accessible day care?  Well, that is clearly a luxury at Google. 

Google – It’s time for a Time Out, kiddo.  Your decision to pass the buck to your working parents was the wrong one.  You still have time to make it right.   

Original post for the Silicon Valley Mom's Blog