Google tells employees that fewer of them will get promotions to senior roles

Google is warning employees that fewer employees will receive promotions to more senior levels this year than last year.

The company said in an email, “The process is manager-led and will be largely the same as last year – although with the slow pace of our hiring, we plan for promotions to L6 and above, when Google is increasingly was growing.” Seen by CNBC. The L6 distinction refers to the first layer of staff that is considered senior and usually includes people with about a decade of experience.

The changes come as Google implements a new performance review system called Google Review and Development (GRAD), which CNBC reported in December will result in more Google employees receiving lower performance ratings and lower marks. insider First reported on Monday’s email.

Like many big tech companies, Google has a huge middle management. Last year’s internal survey results affected the company’s ability to ship products efficiently. Google is also trying to cut costs as growth slumps and recession concerns remain. The company has slowed hiring and in January announced it was cutting 12,000 jobs, or about 6% of its workforce.

In Monday’s email, the tech giant said it is promoting fewer people to senior roles “to ensure that the number of Googlers in more senior and leadership roles grows in proportion to the company’s growth.”

“If your manager feels you are ready to be promoted, they will nominate you,” the email said. The email states that those working in technical roles who wish to “self-nominate” will have a “short window of time” between March 6-8 to do so.

Google did not immediately provide comment for this story.

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