Google’s Letter Allowing Staff To Go To Abortion-Rights States

Fiona Cicconi, Google’s chief people officer, informed work members of Google’s response to the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade in a staff-wide email sent in the wake of the decision.

The email, among other things, emphasizes that Google employees can “ask for relocation without cause” and that those responsible for the relocation process “will concentrate on the condition of the situation” in evaluating their requests.

According to a Bloomberg story from last August, Google informed its employees that of 10,000 requests to work remotely or relocate made in the previous several months, 85% had been approved.

The Supreme Court’s decision does not outlaw abortion nationwide; rather, it gives state governments the discretion to decide whether or not to outlaw it.

The right to an abortion has been immediately restricted in a number of states, including Louisiana, Missouri, and Kentucky. Other states have committed to protect abortion rights within their boundaries, including California, the home of Google.

The Verge has contacted Google to find out if anything regarding the relocation policy has changed, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling. If more information becomes available, we will update this report.