Tech giant Microsoft has disbanded its internal team dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), citing “changing business needs.” The elimination of DEI has sparked criticism from within the company, some of which are conscious about its approach to such efforts.
Business Insider Reports Microsoft has eliminated its internal team focused on DEI, a decision that took effect this month and was communicated to thousands of employees via an email from the team’s leader that was obtained by Business Insider.
The email cited “changing business needs” as the reason for disbanding the team, reflecting a broader trend of scaling back DEI programs in the tech industry, but did not disclose the exact number of employees affected by the decision.
The team leader, whose identity has been confirmed but not released, strongly criticized the company’s decision. “The true systems change work related to DEI programs across all locations is no longer business-critical or prudent as it was in 2020,” they said in an email. The remarks underscore a perceived shift in the company’s priorities since 2020 brought increased attention to racial equity.
Despite the elimination of this internal team, Microsoft maintains that its stance on diversity and inclusion remains unchanged. Microsoft spokesman Jeff Jones said, “Our commitment to D&I remains unchanged. Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering, and we remain committed to our expectations, prioritize accountability, and remain committed to this work.”
Microsoft’s developments are not an isolated incident in the tech industry. Other major companies have also scaled back DEI efforts in recent months. For example, Bloomberg reported that Zoom laid off its DEI-focused team in early 2023. Similarly, Google and Meta also cut their DEI programs in 2022, according to CNBC.
The timing of these layoffs coincides with the transition period of Microsoft’s fiscal year, when the company typically makes workforce adjustments. But it’s notable how frequent layoffs have been recently at Microsoft and across the tech industry. In 2022, Microsoft announced plans to cut 10,000 employees within the first few months of 2023, and has implemented additional layoffs since then.
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Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship.
