Microsoft has laid off an internal team dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), suggesting it is no longer important to its ” business needs.” In a leaked email, the DEI team leader expressed dismay, citing that DEI programs are no longer perceived as business critical, in contrast with their perceived importance in 2020.
“True systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” they lamented. The email indicated that the team’s dissolution, effective July 1, was down to “changing business needs.”
This change is in stark contrast to last year when Microsoft bragged about creating Pride themes for Outlook, taking inspiration from various LGBT flags.
Tech giants like Zoom, Google, and Meta have also reportedly scaled back their DEI programs, reflecting a broader trend within the industry. Microsoft spokesman Jeff Jones claims the company’s dedication to DEI—rebranded D&I—is ongoing, stating, “Our D&I commitments remain unchanged.”