Microsoft cuts jobs in DEI team; laid-off leader criticises move in an email sent to thousands of employees – Times of India

Microsoft has eliminated an internal team focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), citing “changing business needs,” according to a recent report by Business Insider.

The layoffs, which took effect on July 1, have sparked controversy within the company.

The move comes despite Microsoft’s previous commitments to improve diversity efforts, including a pledge made in 2020 to double the number of Black and African-American leaders within the company by 2025. The current progress on this initiative remains unclear.

However, a leader of the disbanded team has expressed strong criticism of the decision in an email sent to thousands of Microsoft employees, as he suggests that the team is no longer critical for the company. “True systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the team leader wrote, as reported by Business Insider.

Microsoft spokesperson Jeff Jones stated that the company’s diversity and inclusion commitments remain unchanged. “Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we are holding firm on our expectations, prioritising accountability, and continuing to focus on this work,” Jones said in a statement to Business Insider.

This reduction in DEI staff aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry. Companies like Zoom, Google, and Meta have also reportedly cut back on their diversity programs in recent months.

The layoffs are part of Microsoft’s annual workforce adjustments, which typically occur around the start of its fiscal year. However, the company has been conducting more frequent rounds of job cuts recently, including a significant reduction of 10,000 employees announced in early 2023.