Microsoft has somewhat quietly distanced itself from the racist, backward framework known as diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The evidence of this comes from an internal email leaked to the media by an employee upset by Microsoft’s decision to disband its DEI unit.
“True systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the internal email reads, according to Business Insider.
The email adds that the DEI team was removed because of “changing business needs.”
Microsoft just killed DEI, no longer a business priority. Entire department laid off.
The window is shifting FAST pic.twitter.com/4QuqkgJya0
— Grummz (@Grummz) July 16, 2024
However, that’s only one side of the story.
“Our D&I commitments remain unchanged,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Insider. “Our focus on diversity and inclusion is unwavering and we are holding firm on our expectations, prioritizing accountability, and continuing to focus on this work.”
What happened to the E for equity? It appears, for all intents and purposes, that Microsoft is still down with diversity and inclusion, both of which aren’t innately bad, but is getting rid of equity, which has been shown to be disastrous and mighty racist.
Also, in an email to Inc. magazine, another Microsoft spokesperson claimed only “two roles” were impacted and that the entire team wasn’t disbanded.
“This was two roles impacted in the events team, doing work that was duplicative of the centrally managed D&I org — called Microsoft’s Global Talent, Development, Diversity, and Inclusion team,” they said. “GTDDI work continues and commitments remain unchanged.”
Notice how this spokesperson also used the term D&I.
But it’s not just them. Inc. notes that the Society for Human Resource Management recently released a statement revealing that they too were dropping the “E” and going from IE&D to I&D.
“By emphasizing Inclusion-first, we aim to address the current shortcomings of DE&I programs, which have led to societal backlash and increasing polarization,” they said.
“All of this follows in the wake of anti-DEI moves from big companies like Zoom, which laid off its DEI team earlier this year, and Meta and Google, which made cuts to their DEI departments in 2023,” Inc. notes.
Microsoft’s move is particularly surprising because it was only five months ago that the company celebrated the apparent fact that its black, Asian, and Hispanic employees were out-earning their white counterparts.
HOLY SHLIT. In Microsoft’s official 2023 Diversity & Inclusion report, they openly admit that they are paying white people LESS than other ethnic groups in the name of “pay equity.” pic.twitter.com/cJLoYeBfBo
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 23, 2024
This was, of course, illegal.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states on its website that “race discrimination involves treating someone (an applicant or employee) unfavorably because he/she is of a certain race or because of personal characteristics associated with race (such as hair texture, skin color, or certain facial features).”
The commission further notes that federal law prohibits discrimination “when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.”
Microsoft has (or had, it appears) been pursuing DEI since the violent George Floyd riots of 2020, at which time it pledged to spend millions to hire more black people.
“Over the past several weeks, the senior leadership team, board of directors, and I have spent time reflecting, listening, learning, and discussing what role the company – and all of us collectively – must play in helping to drive change, both within Microsoft and in our communities,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in an email at the time.
“With significant input from employees and leaders who are members of the Black and African American community, we have developed a set of actions that we believe are both meaningful to improving the lived experience at Microsoft, as well as driving change in the communities in which we live and work,” he added.
These “actions” included doubling the number of black “managers, senior individual contributors, and senior leaders” and using “the power of data, technology, and partnership to help improve the lives of Black and African American citizens across our country.”
Evidently, at Microsoft so-called “inclusion” meant everybody who’s black and that’s it…
Addressing racial injustice – The Official Microsoft Blog https://t.co/pOhG2uI2DK
Today, we are making commitments to address racial injustice and inequity for the Black and African American community in the United States. pic.twitter.com/GFlup2EDJ2
— Mark Tabladillo (@MarkTabNet) June 23, 2020
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
- ‘Pam Bondi needs to be replaced right now!’ Glenn Beck mercilessly goes scorched earth - January 21, 2026
- Alito reveals obvious irony of Justice Brown Jackson defending Black Codes - January 21, 2026
- Hannity confronts Tennessee lawmaker with attention span of a gnat in ugly shout-down - January 21, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.