Multi-trillion-dollar tech company Microsoft has laid off an entire team dedicated explicitly to DEI in the wake of the recent global IT outage.
The news comes just days after Microsoft estimated that 8.5m computers were disabled by the global IT outage caused by a “glitch” from security company CrowdStrike.
The BBC reported:
The fall out from the IT glitch has been enormous and was already one of the worst cyber-incidents in history.
The number given by Microsoft means it is probably the largest ever cyber-event, eclipsing all previous hacks and outages.
The closest to this is the WannaCry cyber-attack in 2017 that is estimated to have impacted around 300,000 computers in 150 countries. There was a similar costly and disruptive attack called NotPetya a month later.
“True systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the team leader wrote, in part, in an email sent to thousands of employees.
The email also cited “changing business needs” as to why the team was laid off.
However, one unnamed Microsoft team leader blamed conservatism for eliminating DEI roles.
“Unofficially in my opinion, not specific to Microsoft alone, but Project 2025 looms and true systems change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the email said, according to IGN.
The email continued:
“Hence the purposeful and strategic 3-5 year shelf life of many company’s inclusion commitments post the murder of George Floyd are being reevaluated.
“And the way I see it, the timing was impeccable so businesses everywhere could reevaluate the path forward should their U.S. federal contracts be at risk if the work continues on its face.”
In response to the reports, Microsoft representative Jeff Jones still eliminated at least one-third of the traditional view of DEI.
“Our D&I commitments remain unchanged,” Jones said, according to Business Insider.
Jones said Microsoft was still focused on diversity and inclusion (but, again, not equity) while otherwise “holding firm.”
“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,” he said.
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