Over the past few years, corporations across America have scrambled to interject themselves in the ongoing culture war gripping Western society. Particularly after the “summer of love” in 2020, companies went above and beyond to demonstrate their affinity toward progressive social causes such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
As a result, an entire multi-billion dollar industry developed around DEI with exorbitantly paid in-house executives and consultants capitalizing on the latest social craze. However, many corporations have begun to pull back on those efforts, perhaps due to economic conditions and declining societal interest. Business Insider recently reported that Microsoft axed an entire DEI team, stating it was no longer beneficial to the business.
According to reports, an internal email was sent earlier this month detailing the firings, explaining that the DEI programming was “no longer business critical” or as “smart” as it once was in 2020. “True systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the email read, which was sent to thousands of employees.
The email further stated that the DEI team was cut due to “changing business needs” starting July 1. Following George Floyd’s death in 2020, Microsoft joined nearly every corporation in pledging millions of dollars to DEI causes, such as hiring more minorities in its workforce. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sent an email to Microsoft employees in June 2020 addressing the company’s efforts to address “racial justice.”
“As I shared in our Employee Town Hall last month, and in my email earlier this month, we are committed to take action to help address racial injustice and inequity, and unequivocally believe that Black lives matter,” the chief executive began the statement. At the time, the company outlined a number of objectives surrounding “diversity and inclusion.”
The company stated its effort of “increasing our representation and culture of inclusion. We will build on our diversity and inclusion (D&I) momentum from the past five years by adding an additional $150M of D&I investment, and will double the number of Black and African American people managers, senior individual contributors, and senior leaders in the United States by 2025.”
Nadella further specified that it would focus on “engaging our ecosystem.” Discussing diversity in its supply chain, the statement added, “We will use our balance sheet and engagement with suppliers and partners to extend the vision for societal change throughout our ecosystem, creating new opportunities for them and the communities they serve.”
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The technology company also offered a vague comment about “strengthening our communities,” stating, “We will use the power of data, technology, and partnership to help improve the lives of Black and African American citizens across our country, including to address the safety and well-being of our own employees in the communities in which they live.”
Despite the elimination of the DEI team, the company has maintained it is still committed to its diversity efforts. “Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we are holding firm on our expectations, prioritizing accountability, and continuing to focus on this work,” Microsoft spokesperson, Jeff Jones told Business Insider.
Watch a former Space Force Officer who was allegedly fired over remarks on DEI below: