Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella meets with officials in Jakarta, Indonesia. April 30, 2024. Photo credit: State Dept./ Budi Sudarmo
Microsoft’s “changing business needs” led it to recently fire one of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teams responsible for perpetuating the woke agenda through the business. The move continues a trend in big businesses of eliminating or reducing spending on DEI personnel and initiatives. Ariel Zilber reports for the New York Post:
Microsoft has reportedly laid off a team devoted to diversity, equity and inclusion after pouring millions of dollars into the initiative — becoming the latest major company to ditch the “woke” policy.
The Big Tech giant disbanded the DEI team at the beginning of the month due to “changing business needs,” according to a July 1 email obtained by Business Insider.
It is unclear how many employees were affected.
The decision was a further sign that companies are pulling back on diversity-based initiatives that were put in place following the 2020 death of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protest campaigns.
Last year, Google and Meta reduced the scope of their DEI programs and cut staff as part of restructuring and layoffs at both companies, according to CNBC.
On Tuesday, tractor giant John Deere announced it will scuttle nearly all its DEI polices in favor of a quality-based workplace.
That followed a decision last month by farm chain retailer Tractor Supply to axe all DEI goals and positions.
Zoom, Snap, Tesla, DoorDash, Lyft, Home Depot and Wayfair have also downsized their DEI teams.
Overall, DEI-related job postings declined by 44% by mid-2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
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