Google CEO promises stronger response to sexual misconduct

After a New York Times story named three top executives who got massive buyouts after being accused of misconduct, employees and others balked. Company leaders are promising change.

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In the #MeToo era, it has become a question for businesses of all sizes: What should be done with wrongdoers?

These toxic connections can come back to haunt major brands on social media and in traditional publications, so some organizations have opted to part with these employees quietly—paying lots of money for them to go away.

That tactic has backfired for Google, which paid three top executives millions during the past decade after they were accused of sexual misconduct.

The New York Times reported:

Google gave Andy Rubin, the creator of Android mobile software, a hero’s farewell when he left the company in October 2014.

“I want to wish Andy all the best with what’s next,” Larry Page, Google’s chief executive then, said in a public statement. “With Android he created something truly remarkable — with a billion-plus happy users.”

What Google did not make public was that an employee had accused Mr. Rubin of sexual misconduct.

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