In a significant shift away from diversity-focused hiring practices, Google announced Wednesday it will discontinue its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring targets, following similar moves by other major tech companies. The decision, revealed in an internal company memo, marks the end of Google’s previous commitment to increase leadership representation of underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025.
The tech giant’s parent company, Alphabet, notably removed language from its annual report that had previously emphasized its dedication to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations. This specific commitment had been consistently included in reports from 2021 through 2024.
The change comes in response to recent court decisions and executive orders implemented under President Trump’s second term, which have eliminated DEI initiatives across federal agencies, military branches, and federal contractors. Google indicated it is currently evaluating necessary program modifications to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
While abandoning specific diversity targets, Google emphasized its commitment to maintaining geographical diversity in its operations. The company stated it will continue expanding its presence in various metropolitan areas with diverse workforce populations, both
domestically and internationally, though without setting specific demographic goals.
The internal communication reinforced Google’s fundamental approach to talent acquisition, stating the company remains focused on hiring the best candidates wherever they operate while fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can succeed. This marks a significant departure from the company’s previous stance under CEO Sundar Pichai, who had strongly supported DEI initiatives following the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, including substantial financial contributions to related causes.
This development follows closely behind Meta’s recent decision to eliminate its DEI programs, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg also addressed concerns about politically biased fact-checking operations. The trend of major corporations moving away from DEI initiatives has gained momentum, with companies like Walmart and McDonald’s having made similar policy changes.
The movement to reduce corporate DEI programs gained significant traction following Robby Starbuck’s campaign against such initiatives over a year ago. The shift reflects a broader transformation in corporate America’s approach to workplace diversity, aligned with the current administration’s policies.
Google’s announcement reflects a return to merit-based hiring practices, signaling a notable departure from the diversity-focused recruitment strategies that dominated corporate policies in recent years. The company’s email emphasized its ongoing commitment to fair treatment and creating an environment conducive to professional success for all employees.
The company’s policy change indicates a broader shift in Silicon Valley’s approach to workforce development, moving away from specific demographic targets toward a more traditional merit-based system. This transformation aligns with recent federal policy changes and represents a significant pivot in how major technology companies approach hiring and workplace diversity.
The decision coincides with similar changes across corporate America, suggesting a broader reevaluation of DEI policies in the private sector. This shift marks a substantial change in how major
corporations approach workforce development and hiring practices, potentially setting a new standard for other companies to follow.
The move represents one of the most significant changes to Google’s hiring policies in recent years, effectively ending an era of explicitly diversity-focused recruitment initiatives that began in the aftermath of the 2020 social justice movements.