Google office tour goes viral: Free food, game room, and cooking classes leave social media divided |
A workplace tour has turned into an unexpected social media talking point after a visitor shared what she found inside a Google office in San Francisco. The video has drawn attention for the very different picture it offers of office life, with viewers reacting to everything from the facilities to the food and the way employees can spend their time there.The tour was shared by Katarine Emanuela Klitzke on Instagram after she visited the office. Her visit was mainly about checking out the much-discussed food, but the video ended up covering several other parts of the workplace too.As the tour made its way through social media, the reactions were not limited to people discussing what was available inside the office. Some viewers also questioned whether such workplace facilities have any connection with the actual experience of working there.
The office has some unusual spaces
One of the more unusual parts of the tour was a car inspired by Back to the Future. The car is also used as a meeting space.Klitzke also showed an art and craft area located next to a rooftop. Another room in the office is meant for board games.Employees can borrow the games to play at home, according to Klitzke. They can also join other Google employees for board-game sessions on Thursdays.The tour further showed the office restrooms, where items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, and hand lotion were available.
Then came the food
The food section gave viewers a look at what employees can find during the workday.Klitzke said employees are offered three meals a day, while snacks are available throughout the day as well.Every floor has a separate kitchen, according to her. These spaces have cold drinks, flavoured water, and coffee machines, along with snacks such as fruits, chips, chocolate bars, and granola bars.Cooking classes are also offered at the office, and Klitzke said these are free for employees.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.
What is on the menu?
The breakfast spread shown in the video included eggs, yoghurt, fruits, baked goods, and croissants.Lunch had a wider selection, with pizza, salad bars, shrimp, risotto, poke bowls, and ramen among the options shown.After showing the food, Klitzke summed up her experience by saying, “So yeah, the Google food is totally worth the hype.”She had also explained the reason behind her visit in the caption of the Instagram post: “While in San Francisco last week, I had to stop at a @google office and check out how their free food actually was!”
Social media had mixed views
The office facilities impressed some viewers, but the comments also brought up a larger discussion around workplace culture.One user argued that attractive office perks do not necessarily mean employees have an easy working life, writing, “Yes, fun amenities BUT your deadlines and projects are laser focused and you won’t be relaxing. It’s survival and only a season very rarely a career”Another commenter focused on the amount of time someone might spend at the workplace, saying, “Anyone who is in the office long enough to need eat all 3 meals a day needs help, or doesn’t value their time and health”The Back to the Future meeting space, however, got a much more light-hearted reaction.“Bro wdym BTTF Time Machine as a meeting space who thought of that?!” another user commented.Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the individuals quoted and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Times of India.Thumb image: Instagram
