Google reportedly fires man for anti-diversity memo
Google has reportedly fired the author of an anti-diversity memo.
The Google employee typed a so-called “anti-diversity manifesto” and circulated it among colleagues.
The memo argued that Google’s shortage of female engineers was due to biology, not culture.
After the controversial document was leaked, the employee found himself fired, according to reports.
Google’s boss slammed the employee, writing: “To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to [Google’s] work is offensive and not OK,” CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in a memo to employees.
“It is contrary to our basic values and our code of conduct.”
Google has not confirmed whether or not the man’s employment has been terminated, saying it does not comment on individual cases.
They also refused to comment when asked by the Guardian, but later posted to Twitter a statement that read: “Our co-workers shouldn’t have to worry that each time they open their mouths to speak in a meeting, they have to prove they are not like the memo states, being ‘agreeable’ rather than ‘assertive’, showing ‘lower stress tolerance’ or being ‘neurotic’.”
The document, entitled Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber, criticised Google’s “diversity and inclusion” initiatives.
“When it comes to diversity and inclusion, Google’s left bias has created a politically correct monoculture that maintains its hold by shaming dissenters into silence,” the memo’s author claimed.
Google Maps users recently changed the name of a tennis arena which had been named after a homophobic tennis legend.
Margaret Court became embroiled in controversy after saying she would boycott Qantas airlines due to their support for marriage equality.
Campaigners argued for the arena named after her to be changed, but did not succeed.
Fairfax Media then reported that Google Maps uses had taken things into their own hands – renaming the arena Evonne Goolagong Arena.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley MBE was a top tennis star in Australia in the 1970s and 80s.
While some results still showed the existing name, the new name was displayed on several attempts.
