Microsoft Disbands Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team Amid Changing Business Needs

• Microsoft has laid off its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, citing changing business needs, according to a report by Business Insider.
• The decision reflects a broader trend of companies scaling back on DEI initiatives that surged after the 2020 death of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests.
• Despite the layoffs, Microsoft spokesperson Jeff Jones stated that the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion remains unchanged.
• Other major companies like Google, Meta, and John Deere have also reduced their DEI programs, with DEI-related job postings declining by 44% by mid-2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
• Microsoft had previously pledged to invest $150 million into its DEI efforts, aiming to double the number of black and Hispanic leaders by 2025.

Source: New York Post