Google ends diversity hiring targets amid industry shift

Alphabet’s Google has decided to discontinue its diversity-based hiring targets and is reviewing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This decision aligns with a growing trend among US corporations reducing DEI initiatives in response to legal and political pressures.

Google’s Chief People Officer, Fiona Cicconi, informed employees that the company would no longer maintain its ‘’aspirational hiring goals,’’ a strategy which was launched in 2020 to enhance workforce representation. Earlier, the firm goal was a 30% surge in leadership from the underrepresented groups by 2025. Google used to give preference to diversity following the racial justice reports of 2020. As far as the latest development, it has eliminated public commitments to DEI from its latest US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

Google ends diversity hiring targets

Google’s policy shift has ignited criticism from labor activists and diversity advocates. The Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) has termed the decision as part of a broader conservative movement to undermine workplace diversity and inclusion efforts. Parul Koul stated to Reuters, that it represents a push back of progress which was hard won in fighting workplace discrimination.

Despite removing hiring targets, Google will continue to support internal employee groups including, Black Googler Network, Trans at Google and Disability Alliance. These groups are anticipated to play a crucial role in shaping workplace policies and in making of products.

Google is not only one reducing back the extent of DEI programs. Meta ended its diversity focused hiring and training programs in January whereas Amazon has also removed many inclusion programs.

As a federal contractor, Google is reassessing its policies influenced by US President Donald Trump’s administration which wants to restrict DEI programs in government and federal contracting.