Diversity and inclusivity are divisive topics that Microsoft has given great importance to in recent years. However, we now discover that the company has reportedly dismissed some of the teams in its DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) department.
Microsoft’s DEI departments at risk?
In an article by Business Insiderwe have learned that the company is in the process of laying off a large part of its team responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
In an email sent to thousands of employees, viewed by Business Insider and corroborated by IGNthe former head of one of Microsoft's top DEI teams, says his post was removed and his team laid off due to “changing business needs.”
He says that in his view, many companies' commitments to inclusion following the killing of George Floyd are being “reevaluated” because of the Project 2025a conservative political plan that includes consolidating executive power in the event of Donald Trump's re-election in the next presidential elections.
Unofficially, in my opinion, and this is not unique to Microsoft, but Project 2025 is looming and the real systems change work associated with DEI programs is no longer as critical or smart as it was in 2020. That is why the intentional and strategic 3-5 year lifespan of many companies' inclusion commitments following the murder of George Floyd is being reevaluated.
IGN reports that the email also praises the work of Microsoft's DEI teams, and then accuses management of “documented discrimination, harassment, and toxicity” that its team experienced during their time at the company.
Microsoft's commitments remain unchanged
In a Microsoft statement, Jeff Jones said that the company's commitments to diversity and inclusion “remain unchanged.”
Our commitments to diversity and inclusion remain unchanged. Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we remain steadfast in our expectations, prioritizing accountability and continuing to focus on this work.
It's unclear at this point what the real story is with Microsoft's DEI department and what impact it might have on Xbox and the company's games.
If the layoffs of a large part of the diversity and inclusion teams are confirmed, the company would also join Google and Meta on the list of tech giants. having laid off a large portion of its DEI workforce recently.