Is workplace inclusivity becoming a thing of the past in US tech companies? Google, following Amazon and Meta, is rolling back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Ever since Donald Trump was elected as the US President for the second time, the tech giants have been quietly scaling back DEI efforts, which hints towards a major shift in how Silicon Valley approaches workplace diversity.
Trump has never been a supporter of DEI. He, infact, signed an order recognising two sexes only–male and female, showing complete disregard for the transgender community. In a recent speech, Trump said his government has taken action to abolish the “nonsense” DEI policies.
Let’s take a look at what scaling back on DEI means and how it will affect employees.
What is DEI?
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These programs were designed to make workplaces more open to people from all backgrounds—regardless of race, gender, or other identity factors. The goal was to create fair opportunities in hiring, promotions, and office culture. Companies have spent years investing in DEI, they have argued that diversity leads to better ideas and a more inclusive environment. But things are changing now.
Why are Google, Meta, and Amazon scaling back DEI?
Several reasons are driving tech companies away from DEI:
–In 2023, the US Supreme Court ruled that colleges can’t give special preference to students based on race when admitting them. Now, companies are worried that the same rule might apply to their hiring policies. If they continue using DEI programs to hire people from diverse backgrounds, they could face lawsuits. No company wants to deal with costly legal fights, so many are choosing to scale back their DEI efforts.
–Companies like Google work with the US government, meaning they have to follow federal regulations. Recent court rulings and executive orders have made it tougher to justify DEI-specific hiring goals.
–Many companies are looking to save money, and DEI programs are often among the first to go when budgets get tight.
How does this affect employees?
Cutting back on DEI programs could change workplaces in many ways. Companies may no longer focus as much on hiring and promoting people from diverse backgrounds. They say they will now hire based only on skills, but some worry this could make it harder for women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups to advance. Employees who depended on DEI programs for support, mentorship, or career growth might feel left out. Overall, the work environment could become less inclusive for some people.
The Trump factor
Donald Trump has been against DEI for a long time. Now, with Trump winning the presidential race, he wants to abolish DEI policies completely."My administration has taken action to abolish all discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion nonsense - and these are policies that were absolute nonsense - throughout the government and the private sector," Trump said at the World Economic Forum after assuming the chair as the US President.
The big tech companies are now adjusting to his demands. Meta, for example, recently made leadership changes that lean more conservative, including appointing Dana White, a Trump ally, to its board.
Elon Musk’s take on DEI
Elon Musk is one of the biggest critics of DEI. In a tweet, Musk called DEI “another word for racism”. He also shamed people for using the term. Ironically, Musk’s own daughter identifies as a transgender. The 21-year-old changed her gender and name at the age of 19. His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson had disowned him and broken all ties with Musk. "I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape, or form,” She had said. Musk, on the other hand, had claimed that a woke mind virus had killed his son.
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