Google has become the latest US company to abolish its targets to recruit more workers from underrated groups, BBC News understands.
The decision to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruitment goals comes after the company conducts an annual review of its corporate policy.
The technology giant has reviewed some of the other DEI programs.
US President Donald Trump and his allies regularly attack DEI policies. Since he returned to the White House just two weeks ago, Trump has ordered agencies to eliminate such initiatives.
“We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees can be successful and have equal opportunities,” said a Google spokesperson.
“We have updated our language to reflect this (annual investor report). As a federal contractor, our team has been required to follow the recent court decisions and executive orders on this topic. We are evaluating the changes.”
This story was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Between 2021 and 2024, Google’s Investor Report stated “a commitment to creating a part of the diversity, equity and inclusion of everything we do.” That line is not found in the latest report released Wednesday.
In recent years, Google has been an outspoken supporter of DEI’s targets, especially after the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd and his death in 2020.
At the time, Google CEO Sundar Pichai set a fifth year goal, increasing the number of leaders from underrated groups by 30%.
According to the company, the proportion of black people in leadership almost doubled between 2020 and last year. He also said that representatives of women and Latino people have increased these roles.
Google is the latest leading company that will U-turn diversity policies.
Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald’s, Walmart and others have rolled back the DEI program.
Apple stands out for opposing this trend. Last month, Tech Giant’s board of directors asked investors to vote against the proposal to end its diversity policy.
The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), a proposal from a conservative group, called on iPhone manufacturers to abolish DEI policies, saying it would expose businesses to “litigation, reputation and financial risks.”
Last week, the retail chain’s goal was sued by a group of shareholders led by the Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund in Florida.
The lawsuit addressed a 2023 backlash against LGBTQ+ products in stores. This has led to a decline in both sales and stock prices.
The Target also recently announced that it has ended its DEI target.
In the latest example of the Trump administration’s disapproval of such policies, the US president last week speculated that Day had led to an air force conflict in Washington, D.C.
The statements that came within 24 hours of the crash were consistent with the White House’s efforts to cancel such programs.
