Google is rethinking its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including its goal of increasing hiring from underrepresented groups.
The move aligns with a broader trend among US companies scaling back diversity programs, often in response to political and legal pressures.
According to Reuters, Alphabet’s Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi emailed staff on Wednesday to inform them that the company would no longer set “aspirational hiring goals” for diversity. These targets were introduced in 2020 after widespread protests against racial injustice.
At the time, CEO Sundar Pichai committed to increasing leadership representation from underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025. However, Google has not provided updates on its progress. In 2021, the company linked executive performance to diversity metrics, but recent changes indicate a shift in priorities.
Alphabet’s latest SEC filing reflects this shift, as it no longer includes a statement committing to making DEI “part of everything we do.” An Alphabet spokesperson told Reuters that the removal was part of a broader review of DEI programs.
