Google's Mysterious '20% Time' Policy Under Scrutiny Amid Product Overload Google's long-standing "20% time" policy, which allows employees to dedicate a fifth of their work hours to side projects, has come under intense scrutiny. The policy, which was introduced by Google's co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 2004, was designed to foster innovation and creativity within the company. However, as Google's product lineup continues to grow, with over 150 products and services, many are questioning whether the policy has become a hindrance to productivity and efficiency. As the tech giant faces increasing competition and mounting pressure to deliver results, the future of the "20% time" policy remains uncertain.