Late last year, Google did the politically correct thing and wished everyone "Happy Holidays."  This winter, the situation within the company may be a little less joyous, as cutbacks of various types might be occurring.

One instance of this behavior is the way in which holiday parties have been scaled down.  Reuters reports that teams will spend afternoons volunteering, and then engage in quiet "evening social activities such as dinner parties and museum outings in San Francisco."

Contrast this to old celebrations that "included ice sculptures of the company’s logo, virtual reality video game stations . . . sushi buffets and burlesque dancers."  Money will be saved left and right.

 

It’s possible to chalk the change up to fiscal responsibility and a respect for the outside world’s condition, though, rather than panicked cutting.

What’s more troubling is a fresh rumor about layoffs.  Daya Baran writes, "Google has been quietly laying off staff and up to 10,000 jobs could be on the chopping block according to sources.  Since August, hundreds of employees have been laid off and there are reports that about 500 of them were recruiters for Google."

Google hasn’t acknowledged any firings, so this would be big news.  But since nothing’s been confirmed, it isn’t time to roll out the Grinch metaphors just yet.