Microsoft Fires a DEI Team, Team Lead Claims Diversity Is ‘No Longer Business Critical’

An email from a Microsoft team lead blasting the company after firing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) team has gone viral, claiming the tech giant believes DEI is “no longer business critical.”

Business Insider received a copy of the email sent by the former head of one of the DEI teams, which has since been shared all over the internet thanks to its content.

“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,” read the email, in part, according to IGN. “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 a statement to Business Insider, the tech giant claimed that it is still committed to hiring a more diverse workforce despite the content of the email. “Our D&I commitments remain unchanged. 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,” spokesperson Jeff Jones said.

It is not clear how many employees were a part of the laid-off DEI team, but Business Insider noted that the email said they were cut as of July 1 because of “changing business needs.”

This is not the first time that Microsoft has laid off groups of employees.

Back in 2020, Microsoft made the announcement that, following its temporary closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, it will permanently close its physical store locations. “Microsoft will continue to invest in its digital storefronts on Microsoft.com, and stores in Xbox and Windows,” the company said in a statement. Additionally, it declared that it would “reimagine spaces that serve all customers, including operating Microsoft Experience Centers in London, NYC, Sydney, and Redmond campus locations.”

Despite this move, Microsoft laid off an additional 5% of its workforce last year. Roughly 10,000 employees lost their jobs as a result of this move. This move came after the company fired 1% of its workforce the year before.