Google Sacks Software Engineer Who Authored The Anti-Diversity Manifesto

The employee of Google, who authored an anti-diversity manifesto that went viral online, has been sacked. He has been identified as James Damore, a senior software engineer with the company.

The manifesto sparked huge outrage including calls for his termination and the creation of industry blacklists.

In his manifesto, Damore called the tech giant’s diversity initiatives as an “ideological echo chamber". He also advocated for a diversity of ideas and meritocracy. In his manifesto, he also suggested that men are biologically more predisposed to working in the tech industry than women. He also complained of organisational culture in Google that discriminates against conservative viewpoints.

He also criticised Google for creating a culture that welcomes some ideas but rejects others.“Only facts and reason can shed light on these biases, but when it comes to diversity and inclusion, Google’s left bias has created a politically correct monoculture that maintains its hold by shaming dissenters into silence,” he wrote in the manifesto.

Google’s initial response to the leaked manifesto did not give any pointers on the likely action it was planning to take. Danielle Brown, vice president of diversity, had stated that Damore’s views are not ones “that I or this company endorses, promotes or encourages.”. She also added that "Part of building an open, inclusive environment means fostering a culture in which those with alternative views, including different political views, feel safe sharing their opinions. But that discourse needs to work alongside the principles of equal employment found in our Code of Conduct, policies, and anti-discrimination laws."

According to Recode, Google CEO Sundar Pichai released a company-wide notice titled “Our words matter” stating that the senior engineer violated the company’s code of conduct.

Pichai's note also stated that “Portions of the memo violate our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace. Our job is to build great products for users that make a difference in their lives. To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK. It is contrary to our basic values and our Code of Conduct, which expects ‘each Googler to do their utmost to create a workplace culture that is free of harassment, intimidation, bias and unlawful discrimination.”

Damore confirmed his dismissal in an email to Bloomberg saying that he had been fired for “perpetuating gender stereotypes.”