Google scraps diversity hiring goals citing Trump’s DEI orders
Alphabet’s Google has decided to abandon its goal of hiring more employees from historically underrepresented groups and is reviewing several of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The move aligns with a broader trend in Silicon Valley, where companies are scaling back DEI programs in response to political and legal pressures.
The decision comes after Google and other major tech firms had previously committed to more inclusive hiring policies following the 2020 protests against the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Google issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to workplace equality following the news: “We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities, and over the last year we’ve been reviewing our programs designed to help us get there. We’ve updated our 10-K language to reflect this, and as a federal contractor, our teams are also evaluating changes required following recent court decisions and executive orders on this topic.”
Removal of DEI commitments from annual reports
Alphabet’s latest filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that the company omitted a key DEI-related statement previously included in its annual reports from 2021 to 2023. The removed language had pledged to make diversity, equity, and inclusion part of “everything we do” and to build a workforce representative of its users.
Google’s HR chief, Fiona Cicconi, acknowledged the shift in a memo published by The Verge, explaining that Google had previously set aspirational hiring goals in 2020 and aimed to expand its offices outside California and New York to improve representation. However, she confirmed that the company would no longer set such goals moving forward.
Broader corporate retreat from DEI initiatives
Google is not alone in rolling back DEI commitments. Earlier this month, Meta announced in an internal memo that it was ending its DEI programs, including those related to hiring, training, and supplier diversity. Amazon has also signaled a shift, stating in a memo seen by Reuters that it was “winding down outdated programs and materials” related to representation and inclusion.
These moves come amid increasing pressure from conservative groups emboldened by a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in university admissions. Some factions have threatened legal action against companies that continue to implement DEI programs.
Political backlash and corporate decisions
The rollback of DEI initiatives has also been politicized. Earlier this month, Elon Musk and other allies of former President Donald Trump attributed DEI programs as a factor hindering the response to severe wildfires in Los Angeles, further fueling conservative opposition to corporate diversity efforts.
As legal and political challenges to DEI continue to mount, major corporations appear to be reevaluating their commitments, signaling a significant shift in how businesses approach diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
