Microsoft lays off internal DEI team, says diversity is “no longer business critical”

Microsoft has reportedly shut down a key internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) team, becoming the latest major company to make cuts to previous diversity commitments.

The news of Microsoft discontinuing its main internal DEI team was revealed through an email sent to thousands of their global workforce and obtained by various sources.

According to an email obtained by Business Insider, the decision to lay off the entire team was made because the “true systems-change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020.”

The email, sent by the team’s former leader, also accuses the company’s executive leadership of engaging in “investigated and evidenced discrimination, harassment, and toxicity.”

The email further discusses a major shift at Microsoft to prioritize business-critical initiatives:

“True systems change work associated with DEI programs everywhere are no longer business critical or smart as they were in 2020,” the email stated. “Hence the purposeful and strategic 3-5 year shelf life of many companies’ inclusion commitments post the murder of George Floyd are being reevaluated.”

Microsoft spokesperson Jeff Jones has stated that the company’s “diversity and inclusion commitments remain unchanged” and that they are committed to prioritizing accountability and focusing on this work.

While acknowledging the accomplishments of DEI teams at Microsoft, the former team lead also raised concerns about alleged discrimination, harassment, and toxicity directed towards their staff by the company’s executives.