Inside Google’s Harassment Scandal: Whistleblower Claims She Was Pushed Out After Speaking Up

When Victoria Woodall reported disturbing behaviour by a senior manager at Google, she believed she was doing the right thing. Instead, she now claims her decision triggered a chain of events that ultimately cost her career.

Woodall, a senior industry head in Google UK’s Sales and Agencies team, has told a London employment tribunal that she was subjected to a sustained campaign of retaliation after raising concerns about a colleague’s conduct. The allegations, which surfaced in 2022, involved claims that the manager had made sexually explicit comments to clients and displayed an intimate photo of his wife during a business interaction.

According to court filings, a female client first approached Woodall to report a deeply uncomfortable lunch meeting. The manager allegedly boasted about his sex life, described himself and his wife as swingers, and shared explicit holiday encounters – all in a professional setting and in front of his own line manager, who reportedly failed to intervene.

Disturbed by the account, Woodall escalated the issue to her boss, Matt Bush, prompting Google to launch an internal investigation. Before that inquiry concluded, another client came forward with a similar complaint, claiming the same manager had shown her a graphic image on his phone.

Investigation uncovers wider misconduct

Google’s internal probe involved interviews with 12 staff members and revealed additional incidents. Investigators concluded that the manager had sexually harassed two female colleagues during a work event by touching them without consent. He was also found to have made inappropriate remarks, including telling a colleague he was in an open marriage and suggesting a sexual encounter in a workplace bathroom.

Although the manager denied the allegations, Google dismissed him for gross misconduct. Two senior colleagues, including his direct supervisor, were disciplined for failing to challenge the behaviour. Both were later made redundant.

‘A poisoned chalice’

Woodall claims the fallout quickly turned personal. She told the tribunal that her boss pressured her to take over a struggling account previously managed by one of the disciplined colleagues. She describes the move as a “poisoned chalice” that weakened her position and exposed her to future redundancy.

She also alleges she was sidelined from senior responsibilities, demoted on a major internal project, and had her performance unfairly downgraded — all, she says, in retaliation for whistleblowing.

Bush, in his witness statement, disputes the claims, saying he supported Woodall’s career and that account reshuffles were standard practice. He also emphasised his commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Claims of a ‘boys’ club’ culture

Beyond personal retaliation, Woodall raised concerns about what she described as a male-dominated culture within Google UK. She claimed the company had funded a men-only “chairman’s lunch” until late 2022.

Google denies the existence of a “boys’ club,” saying internal investigations found no evidence of systemic bias. The company added that the lunch event was discontinued because it no longer aligned with internal policies.

Senior leadership drawn in

In 2023, Woodall escalated her concerns to Debbie Weinstein, then vice president of Google UK and Ireland. Internal messages shown in court suggest Weinstein was alarmed after meeting Woodall, describing the conversation to HR as “holy moly.”

Later that year, as Google prepared for a wider restructuring, Woodall claims there was renewed effort to remove her from the agency team. Messages presented to the tribunal show Weinstein discussing the reorganisation as a chance to “exit people,” a phrase Woodall believes was directed at her.

In March 2024, she was made redundant alongside one of the managers previously disciplined. Woodall says she remains technically employed and is receiving long-term sickness payments due to work-related stress.

Google denies retaliation

Google strongly rejects Woodall’s claims. The company insists her redundancy was part of a broader restructuring that affected 26 roles across departments. It also disputes that senior leaders targeted her, saying Weinstein supported Woodall and had actually initiated a cultural review of the agency team.

While Google acknowledges Woodall’s report constituted whistleblowing, it denies any retaliation, describing subsequent decisions as normal business processes.

Awaiting judgment

The tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict in the coming weeks. For Woodall, the case represents more than personal vindication – she says it highlights the risks faced by employees who speak up.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work,” she told the court. “But too often, the people who raise concerns are the ones who pay the highest price.”

As the tech industry continues to grapple with workplace culture and accountability, the outcome of this case could have wide-reaching implications for whistleblowers across corporate Britain.