Google execs try to calm workers worried about jobs while wearing Halloween costumes

Google executives spooked employees at a creepy meeting this week — wearing festive Halloween costumes as they fielded questions about further cost-cutting and layoffs, according to a report.During the all-hands meeting on Wednesday, Google’s chief scientist, Jeff Dean, wore a starfish costume.CFO Anat Ashkenazi wore a sports jersey of former Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller.

As for CEO Sundar Pichai, the boss wore a t-shirt that read “ERROR 404 COSTUME NOT FOUND” with an image of a pixelated dinosaur. During the meeting with employees, a Google spokesperson told The Post that executives answered around 20 questions across a range of topics, including one or two questions concerning cost efficiency.A day earlier, Google parent Alphabet reported better-than-expected earnings and revenue, but on a call with investors, the recently hired Ashkenazi said she wanted to “push a little further” on cost savings.When asked whether layoffs might be coming in the future, Pichai said: “If we are making companywide decisions, we’ll definitely let you know.”“I was telling Anat yesterday, earnings calls are a piece of cake compared to [the meeting] the next day,” Pichai joked during the employee meeting.Employees are worried that the company is preparing to slash more jobs after the end of the year, according to internal correspondence viewed by CNBC.“What exactly was meant by the comments on further efficiencies in headcount?” one employee asked during the meeting, referencing Ashkenazi’s comments during the earning call. Ashkenazi did not share details, but said employees are “one of the most important assets we have.” She said the company is investing in its workers, even hiring 1,000 new graduates in the third quarter. Pichai said there are ways to boost efficiency and restructure the company aside from layoffs.“If you have to do something new and it’s going to take 10 people, if you can find a way to do it with eight people by making ...