Google drops diversity pledge, shifts DEI hiring strategy

• Google eliminated diversity hiring goals and reviews DEI initiatives amid growing scrutiny. The move followed similar rollbacks by Meta and Amazon.
• The decision reverses Google’s 2020 pledge to increase leadership representation from underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025.
• The company will maintain employee resource groups and expand offices in diverse hiring markets, but may discontinue annual diversity reports and reevaluate DEI-related grants and training.

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Google is eliminating its diversity hiring goals and reviewing several diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives according to The Wall Street Journal. The decision follows similar rollbacks from other major tech companies, including Meta and Amazon, as businesses face growing scrutiny over DEI programs.

What did Google change?

In a recent internal memo, Google’s Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi informed employees that the company will no longer set aspirational hiring goals.

“In the future, we will no longer have aspirational goals,” Cicconi wrote.

The shift marks a reversal from 2020 when Google pledged to increase leadership representation from underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025.

Why is this happening now?

Corporate DEI efforts have faced increasing legal and political challenges. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, intensifying scrutiny on corporate diversity policies. Conservative groups have also threatened litigation against businesses prioritizing race- and gender-based hiring and promotions.

What else is changing at Google?

Google’s latest annual report removed a longstanding DEI commitment that previously stated:

“Committed to making diversity, equity, and inclusion part of everything we do.”

Additionally, the company is reevaluating whether to continue releasing annual diversity reports and is reviewing DEI-related grants, training, and internal programs. According to the internal memo, Google is focusing on programs that are most impactful while eliminating those that “raise risk” or have not met expectations.

Will Google still support diversity initiatives?

Despite these changes, Google said it will maintain employee resource groups such as:

• Trans at Google
• Black Googler Network
• Disability Alliance

The company also said it will continue opening and expanding offices in diverse hiring markets outside of its traditional hubs in California and New York.

Is Google responding to federal policies?

In short, yes. Google is evaluating its DEI programs in response to recent executive orders by President Donald Trump limiting diversity initiatives among federal contractors.

As a government contractor, Google provides cloud computing and other services to U.S. agencies and is reviewing how these policy changes might impact its operations.

Are other tech companies scaling back DEI efforts?

Google’s shift is part of a broader trend in the tech industry. Other companies making similar changes include:

• Meta disbanded its DEI team and eliminated diversity hiring goals.
• Amazon announced it would wind down some DEI programs by the end of 2024.

What happens next?

It remains unclear whether Google will further scale back DEI initiatives or reinstate some of its previous commitments. However, the company, like others in the industry, faces increasing legal and political pressure to balance workforce diversity efforts with compliance amid shifting policies and regulations.