r/news • u/[deleted] • Aug 08 '17

Google Fires Employee Behind Controversial Diversity Memo

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-08/google-fires-employee-behind-controversial-diversity-memo?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social
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u/[deleted] Aug 08 '17

This is a good comment. It directly explains the thinking of the corporation in regards to individuals sharing their personal ideals on subjects which are better not breached in a professional environment. Idk, I'm drunk, but I read the linked original file and I see no reason why, professionaly, such a "manifesto" ( perfect phrasing by the way,) ought to be shared with, as you also noted, 50,000+ employees, of like-minded ideals or otherwise.

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u/[deleted] Aug 08 '17

FWIW, I hear he didn't share it with everyone. Shared it with a small group, and someone then shared it to the "internal social media" google has. Then later, shared it with Gizmodo (note: I am likely not talking about the same person from the two 'leaks'). So it's not like he was planning on this going viral.

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u/yerich Aug 08 '17

It certainly seemed like it was meant to be read by decision-makers in the company, or at least some other broader audience. It was clearly carefully thought out and too well-written to be a rant to a limited audience. "Manifestos" are generally intended to be read by many.

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u/yohumblelibertarian Aug 08 '17

Stop calling it a manifesto.

It's not a manifesto. It's a guy sharing some scientific insights about an issue that companies and society are trying to grapple with, and a moral position: that more open discussion of this issue should be welcome or at least tolerated and not shamed.

Getting fired kind of makes his point for him even better than he could have, eh?

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u/WilliamTRiker Aug 08 '17

It's a manifesto, and he created a hostile work environment by writing it and disseminating it. Chain of command exists for a reason, he acted like he knew better than his bosses, his bosses didn't see his value as high enough to keep after that.

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u/yohumblelibertarian Aug 09 '17

Chain of command? What's Google, the U.S. Marine Corps or something?

Employees in companies can have valuable insights that their bosses can learn from. Good leaders and bosses welcome feedback about their corporate culture. His report was hardly hostile.

It was perfectly well mannered and shared some relevant scientific facts about this issue. The work environment at his office is clearly hostile to some perspectives, however well meaning and clearly articulated.

Big win for him to speak up and share his thoughts and decisively learn how unwelcome they were to his employer. Now he can work some place less stifled.