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Comment by malux85 | Hacker News Reader

I would love to work somewhere, where there's the 20% time, it makes me so much more productive.

If I leave the office stimulated and excited about what I'm working on, I will work until 2 or 3am in a frenzy, and get a lot of work done.

If I leave the office tired and exhausted from hours and hours of yak shaving, I go home and rest.

Everybody wins on the 20% days, especially if they're friday, because I will likely spend the weekend coding what I didn't finish friday night.

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Google is always hiring. I'm happy to help with applying.

Is 20% time really still alive and well at Google?

I heard they removed it

You heard wrong.

20% is still encouraged, but it's hard to fit it in sometimes.

Then it's not 20% time, as most engineers external to Google understand it.

Nobody will force you to take 20% time. Some managers actively encourage their teams to take it; but more often, it's up to the individual to step up and grab.

I understand that there are different days, but is there a possibility, like 0% on hard days and 30% on easy ones at Google?

You can bank your 20% time for up to a quarter automatically. (Or more, with approval.)

My understanding was: * engineers have to apply and have their idea approved * performance reviews are based on primary tasks, and 20% is not included

so if doing a 20% project reduces production elsewhere (and how could it not unless you work 20% more?), it would seem to be a negative

There's a pre-approved list that most people's projects fall under. It includes open source work, tinkering, prototype, learning (eg new programming language), teaching, etc. You only need to apply, if you have something special outside of those areas.

You should inform your manager. But that's just common sense.

Your 20% efforts explicitly go into your performance evaluation, so it won't be a negative.

I see it as an opportunity to learn and work with (and from) people, I don't normally deal with.

Not in my experience.

What route did you take to apply? I'm looking at a specific position posted in Google careers. Just fill out the form and wait?

Recruiter poached me from my previous employer, Standard Chartered Bank. I've never applied, but I reckon befriending a Googler and getting a recommendation is best. A recommendation pretty much guarantees you at least a phone interview. Most Googlers are happy to give out recommendations like candy: there's a hiring bonus on the upside, and no downside.

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