Google’s Chelsea campus in New York City recently faced a bed bug outbreak, prompting a temporary evacuation of employees. According to WIRED, exterminators discovered ‘credible evidence’ of the pests, leading to a swift response from the company’s environmental, health, and safety team.
Following the inspection, employees were advised to avoid the office until the situation was under control. Fortunately, after a thorough treatment, normal operations resumed on Monday. As a precautionary measure, Google is conducting further checks at its other New York campuses, including the Hudson Square buildings.
In light of the infestation, employees were urged to report any symptoms possibly linked to bed bug exposure and notify the facilities team of any sightings. Additionally, they were encouraged to seek professional extermination services if bed bugs were found at home.
Reports suggest that the presence of large stuffed animals in Google’s New York offices may have contributed to the infestation, although this remains unverified. Notably, this isn’t the first time Google has dealt with bed bugs in its New York offices, with a previous incident occurring in 2010.
While Google declined to comment on the situation, the company’s swift response highlights the importance of proactive pest control measures in work environments to ensure employee well-being and operational continuity.
Source: WIRED