I worked at Google in KIR for the past 5 years. You calling the working conditions "atrocious" is hilarious. This is why people call Googlers entitled.
The OP is talking about tech people, obviously. I don't think we need to discuss that a table in a stair case is still awesome compared to working in a coal mine. But these conditions would be borderline even for a small company on the countryside.
Disclaimer: Just going from your two comments, never saw Google's offices.
LOL... reminds me of the time I went down to Overture's office in Pasadena. We were supposed to meet some senior engineering guy there. We got out of the elevator, and there was a sea of long tables in that giant floor, wall to wall, with people sitting elbow to elbow.
"Wow, this looks like a call center; I'm glad I'm not in customer support", I thought to myself.
And then one of guys sitting at those big tables stood up, extending his hand: "Hi, I'm ...., glad to meet you guys". It was that senior engineer. Yikes!
My first two jobs had (nice) cubicles, since then I have been stuck with this open office, elbow to elbow nonsense. Cubicles used to be the butt of many jokes, but now it’s desirable. :/
As someone who watched KIR-D get constructed from his desk and later worked right next to the infamous desks-in-the-stairwell spot (and made it a point to detour around so as not to disturb the poor souls seated there), I find this thread wonderfully nostalgic.
Makes me want to drop by and crank that giant net up and down a few times just so everyone in the south wing can hear that soothing creaking sound again.
That said, let me know if you find yourself again stuck in KIR-D and want to escape while still working on the eastside.
Supposedly it is better now given all the people who have decided to WFH. They actually have nice comfy common areas again. This is what I heard during our VC lunch today, I've never been to the office myself (technically my desk was there, but I started during the pandemic).
Disclaimer: Just going from your two comments, never saw Google's offices.