For years, tech businesses reacted to calls for more diversity by releasing favorable workplace data and issuing statements on their commitment to equality. These actions, however, have not translated to much, as data continue to indicate that women, people of color and LGBTQ tech professionals still face bias, underrepresentation, and inequality.
Diversity problems in the tech industry are particularly acute at the executive level. While whites represent 63.5 to 68.5 percent of the workforce, more than 83 percent of tech executives are white, and 80 percent are men – according to data from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Fortunately, the momentum for change appears to be growing. Black Lives Matter protests, the MeToo movement and rising support for LGBTQ+ rights have triggered more focus on disparities related to pay and opportunity for underrepresented groups. Now, it’s more critical than ever for tech businesses to prove their dedication to closing diversity and gender gaps, and tech businesses seem to be responding with more substantive policies.
To get a feeling for the different ways the tech industry is responding to greater calls for diversity in 2021, below is a look at how some organizations are committed to diversity and inclusion.
Microsoft
Microsoft recently unveiled a five-year plan on how the business intends to battle racial injustice and bias for underrepresented groups, including the Black and Hispanic communities.
The plan outlines approaches to boost representation and produce a culture of inclusion in the company. Microsoft recently committed $150 million into diversity campaigns and said it will double the amount of Black supervisors, senior contributors and senior leaders by 2025. A different objective is to use information, technology and business relationships to advance the lives of the average Black person in America.
In the wake of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Google’s chief executive Sundar Pichai put out a press release acknowledging the systemic racism faced by Black folks in America. Pichai also revealed steps Google will take to create sustainable equity and produce meaningful change inside the business.
The business has pledged to boost Black representation at senior positions and has dedicated to growing the representation of underrepresented people in the company by 30 percent by 2025. Pichai also mentioned a task force dedicated to addressing problems in hiring, employee engagement, and promotion at all levels. Google has also dedicated to improving its hiring process with an eye toward greater diversity.
Apple
Apple has stated it has been hiring more women and underrepresented minorities over the past five years, claiming 53 percent of new hires are from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in tech, like women and people of color.
The company has also said it is dedicated to hiring diverse talent for jobs at every level of the company, bringing in applicants from more diverse pipelines, utilizing technology to tamp down bias and drive more diversity in its leadership ranks.
We Can Help Your Company Become More Diverse
At SMCI, we’re dedicated to eliminating bias and boosting diversity through talent acquisition. Please contact us today to find out how we can support your company in this endeavor.
