Microsoft has reportedly shuttered one of its core diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) teams, laying off its employees in the process. A former team leader sent an internal email to several Microsoft employees revealing the layoffs, criticizing the Redmond giant’s decision, and accusing the company’s management of “harassment and toxicity.” Something clearly went wrong here.
Business Insider was the first to report the email, which states that “effective July 1, 2024, the former leader’s role and team have been eliminated due to ‘changing business needs.’” Microsoft follows in the footsteps of other tech companies like Meta and Google, which have also cut DEI programs created in the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Notably, Microsoft has pledged to double the number of Black and African-American leaders in the U.S. by 2025, along with other programs designed to “address racial injustice,” such as on-the-job training and approving more Black-owned suppliers and financial institutions.
The email says DEI programs across all departments are facing these kinds of cuts or closure altogether.
The email suggests that DEI programs across all departments are facing these kinds of cuts or being shut down entirely. The former employee says the possibility of conservative policies like Project 2025 shaped Microsoft’s decision-making. The email explains, “Hence, the intentional and strategic 3-5 year shelf life of many of our inclusion commitments following the murder of George Floyd is being reassessed, and I believe the timing was perfect for companies around the world to reassess the path forward, or their U.S. federal contracts will be at risk if the work continues.”
The email is full of praise for the team itself, saying it hired “brilliant, ethical, and world-class strategists within the company who helped make the world a better place,” but it accuses executive management of “investigated and proven discrimination, harassment, and toxicity” directed at them during their time at the company.
In a statement shared with Business Wire, Microsoft spokesman Jeff Jones said, “Our DEI commitments remain unchanged. We remain focused on diversity and inclusion and stand by our expectations, prioritize accountability, and continue to focus on this work.”
Microsoft isn’t the only company to make this move recently. Many tech giants, including Google and Meta, have begun making significant cuts to DEI programs launched in 2020.
