Alphabet-owned Google halts its diversity-based hiring initiatives, aligning with federal guidelines under Trump’s directive.
February 6, 2025: Google has announced a major shift in its hiring strategy, putting an end to its diversity-focused hiring goals. This move aligns with executive orders issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump, targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is reevaluating its workplace policies to comply with recent federal mandates and court rulings.
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In an email to staff, Fiona Cicconi, Google’s Chief People Officer, confirmed the company’s decision to abandon its “aspirational goals” of increasing representation from underrepresented groups. “In 2020, we set aspirational hiring goals and expanded beyond California and New York to enhance representation,” Cicconi said. “However, moving forward, we will no longer pursue such goals.”
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Why the Change?
As a federal contractor, Google is required to comply with executive orders that restrict DEI initiatives. A company statement added, “We’ve updated our policies to align with these changes and are reviewing programs to meet federal requirements.”
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Trump’s DEI Ban
Shortly after assuming office, Donald Trump issued an order banning DEI initiatives across federal agencies and grants. The decision sparked debates nationwide, affecting organizations like Google that previously championed inclusive hiring practices.
Google’s Past Commitments
In 2020, following protests against police brutality and systemic racism, Google CEO Sundar Pichai committed to increasing leadership roles for underrepresented groups by 30% by 2025. The company even tied executive performance evaluations to diversity metrics. However, these efforts faced setbacks, including controversies like the abrupt dismissal of a prominent AI ethics researcher who criticized Google’s DEI policies.
Tags: Google diversity hiring, Donald Trump DEI ban, workplace inclusivity, Alphabet hiring policies, DEI programs in tech, Sundar Pichai initiatives, diversity in leadership, federal contractor compliance