Google ditches DEI hiring goals

Google will no longer have diversity hiring targets and will review its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, according to an email sent to employees seen by the Wall Street Journal. 

Google now joins other tech companies rolling back DEI practices, especially as DEI practices come under fire from conservative groups. Amazon and Meta have also rolled back DEI measures in the past few months. 

Google first implemented DEI targets in 2009, set a goal of increasing hires from underrepresented groups by 30% in 2020, and said it hit that goal in 2022, according to its latest 2024 diversity report. That report shows that among its leadership, 5.7% identified as Black, flat from 2023, while 7.5% identified as Latino, also flat. Per the email, Google said it was looking at whether it would continue releasing its diversity reports and is also evaluating if any of its programs need to comply with the latest court rulings or executive orders aimed at curbing DEI measures. 

When we reached Google for comment, a spokesperson provided the following statement:

“We’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can succeed and have equal opportunities, and over the last year we’ve been reviewing our programs designed to help us get there. We’ve updated our 10-k language to reflect this, and as a federal contractor, our teams are also evaluating changes required following recent court decisions and executive orders on this topic.”