Member-only story
It’s time for the tech industry to live up to its ideals
Beyond the facade of free food, massages, and dry cleaning.
It’s no secret that the tech industry prides itself on its altruism. You’ve probably heard Google’s former informal motto, “Don’t be evil,” but it is far from unique: most tech companies have lofty ideals baked into their mission statements, their marketing campaigns, and even their very brands.
When I started working in the tech industry over a decade ago, I was as susceptible to this messaging as the next person. The never-ending communications about how my company was transforming the world for the better were appealing. It didn’t occur to me then that the constant drip of these messages was a highly effective way to get me to drink the Kool-Aid so that I would become a loyal, diligent employee.
It wasn’t just the unceasing communications that had this impact, either. The high salary and novel benefits all played a part. I quickly and naively bought into the idea that my employers were more ethical than employers in other industries.
Despite their seemingly noble intentions, it turns out that some tech companies are not the altruistic panacea they so proudly claim to be.