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Chewy Shaw

Chewy Shaw

Photographer: Cayce Clifford/Bloomberg
Technology
+ Equality

Google Team That Keeps Services Online Rocked by Mental Health Crisis

Members of the search giant’s site reliability group say managers fostered a toxic environment. Google says a ‘safe, inclusive workplace’ is a top priority.

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When Chewy Shaw left Google’s site reliability group in April, he told colleagues in a memo that interactions with his managers had made him depressed and suicidal.

“I no longer feel psychological safety on this team,” wrote Shaw, who is Black and had accused his leaders of racism. “I no longer have a manager focused on treating me in a ‘Googley’ manner,” he added, using his own shorthand to describe respect and fairness. “And so, with many tears, I am now looking for a Googley manager at the company who will take me.”