Google Is Paying Some Employees To Do 'Nothing': Know Why!
As the AI race intensifies globally, tech giants are scrambling to secure the brightest minds and Google is no exception. But in a move that is raising eyebrows across the industry, Google DeepMind has reportedly been placing employees in the UK on paid leaves while enforcing strict non-compete clauses that prevent them from working for rival companies. Will you call it smart?
According to a report from Business Insider, several Google DeepMind employees in the UK have been asked to sign non-compete agreements that restrict them from joining competing firms for up to 12 months. After signing, many of these employees are then placed on 'garden leave', a period during which they are still paid but are no longer actively working.
These extended leave periods essentially sideline talent, while Google continues to pay their salaries, keeping them out of reach from competitors like Microsoft or OpenAI during a critical time in AI innovation.
“Don't Sign These Contracts,” warns Microsoft AI Exec
The issue gained traction after Nando de Freitas, a former DeepMind director and now vice president at Microsoft AI, posted on X (formerly Twitter), voicing concern over what he calls 'abuse of power.'
“Every week one of you reaches out to me in despair to ask me how to escape your notice periods and non-competes,” de Freitas wrote. “No American corporation should have that much power, especially in Europe.”
His statement reflects the growing discomfort among AI researchers and developers who feel trapped by contracts that limit their ability to contribute elsewhere in this rapidly evolving field.
Inside the contracts: who’s affected?
Four former DeepMind employees told Business Insider that six-month non-competes are fairly common for those working on key projects like Google’s Gemini AI. However, senior-level researchers have reportedly been subjected to longer restrictions, sometimes up to a full year.
These restrictions mean that top talent could sit idle during a period when the AI landscape is shifting at lightning speed.
"That’s forever in AI," said one former employee. “Who wants to sign you for starting in a year?”
Google Defends the Practice
In response to the criticism, a Google spokesperson told Business Insider that their employment agreements follow industry norms.
“Our employment contracts are in line with market standards,” the spokesperson said. “Given the sensitive nature of our work, we use non-competes selectively to protect our legitimate interests.”
While that may be true on paper, critics argue that what might be considered standard in legal terms doesn’t necessarily align with the pace and competitiveness of today’s AI landscape.
Why does it matter?
The global AI industry is moving at an unprecedented speed, with major announcements and product launches happening within weeks of each other. In this high-stakes environment, being six months or even a few weeks ahead can be a game-changer.
Some argue that non-competes offer companies like Google a strategic edge by delaying rivals from acquiring top talent. However, others see it as an unfair tactic that stifles innovation and personal career growth.
“AI feels like the new space race,” said one ex-employee. “And right now, even a slight lead can change everything.”
The conversation around how to balance innovation, employee freedom, and corporate secrecy is just beginning, and the world is watching.
news