It appears that diversity equity inclusion (DEI) may be going the way of environmental and social governance (ESG), as corporations are now backing away due to the realities of implementing insanity.
In a glorious example of this developing trend, Microsoft laid off its DEI Team, as it appears diversity ideals are “no longer business-critical“.
The tech giant’s move was exposed in an email obtained by Business Insider, which appears to show the DEI internal team leader criticizing the fact diversity was ‘no longer business critical.’Microsoft joins a number of tech companies in walking back DEI commitments that were made in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, including Google, Meta and Zoom.It is unclear how many employees were laid off, and Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.In a statement to Business Insider, Microsoft insisted that its ‘D&I commitments remain unchanged.’
The number of positions being eliminated remains unclear. It appears that may be the beginning of corporations “quiet quitting” DEI.
This comes just over four years after Microsoft announced a greater commitment to its DEI department, with CEO Satya Nadella having pledged “action to help address racial injustice and inequity” as part of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement.Nadella said Microsoft would invest $150 million into diversity and inclusion measures at the time and promised to double the number of black people in senior positions by 2025….Waseem Ali, CEO of data consultancy Rockborne, thinks Microsoft’s move is part of a wider trend of “quiet quitting” DEI efforts in the tech industry.“Other global tech companies like Google and Meta have also made significant cuts to DEI programs in 2023 and this, combined with statements from key figures are helping to proliferate the sense that having a diverse workforce is a ‘nice-to-have’ rather than an essential,” he said.
Part of the move may be related to the company admitting proudly it paid white employees less than their “diversity” counterparts.
It is no surprise that Microsoft axed its DEI team as it recently faced backlash over its DEI goals in February. After Microsoft unveiled its 2023 Global Diversity & Inclusion report, a user on social media platform X highlighted a page from the report in a viral tweet which revealed that the company was addressing racial pay disparities by paying its white employees less than their counterparts.Tesla CEO Elon Musk caught wind of the tweet and questioned whether or not that was even legal for Microsoft to do, which hurled more attention and criticism towards the company.https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1760817144781021650?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwMicrosoft isn’t the only company to cave under pressure from consumers who scrutinized its DEI goals. Earlier this month, Tractor Supply (TSCO) cut its DEI initiatives and job roles after its conservative consumers bashed the company on social media for having “woke priorities” such as having a DEI council, advocating for climate change, funding pride events, etc.Consumers even threatened to boycott the company if it didn’t remove these priorities, and in the midst of the backlash, Tractor Supply complied.
Yes, most normal Americans find racism and discrimination unfair and unnecessary.
While the DEI employees may not go quietly, we hope corporations will revert to judging staff on merit, excellence, and innovation.
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