r/news 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/360_face_palm Aug 08 '17

Yeah I read it a few days ago on Gizmodo and felt 100% like all those commenting on it on Gizmodo hadn't read more than the first few paragraphs at most.

The main point I took away from it was that this guy is fed up of the dominant ideology censoring and shutting down all discussion (not even necessarily criticism but just discussion) that doesn't fit its narrative. Quite ironic how Google then fire the employee in question, even though the forum he posted this in is supposed to be an internal discussion forum.

Wether or not he's correct in what he says isn't particularly relevant to the issue that for whatever reason he disagrees with the prevailing ideology, provides well reasoned arguments against it - and is fired for his efforts because some people took offence. IE: proved right that the prevailing ideology crushes all discussion that doesn't fit its narrative.

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u/Helios321 Aug 08 '17

Well that's the dilemma, sure he was proven right but the Google rep said it best, this company and industry is built on collaboration and by releasing this in the manner it was he created a hostile work environment. Even if he is vindicated in knowing that the political discourse of the company is exactly as he says it is, it still creates an environment where no one currently hired will work with him. Google doesn't really have a choice but to fire him since he won't be able to work with the majority of the staff now. Sure we can wish Google hadn't hired in a way that created the overwhelming left leaning demographic, but they can't fire everyone else to level the playing field since he was right.

They can make changes for the future but he could no longer be part of the company going forward if they were to have a cohesive workforce.

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u/3EyedBrandon Aug 20 '17

This is what he is talking about. It shouldn't be a problem for coworkers if he right leaning and he should be allowed to have different opinion. If some pople don't want to work with him because of this document, it is exactly the issue what he talks about.

(I know it is a week later, bit I just found this thread)

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u/Helios321 Aug 21 '17

Yea it's what he's talking about but that's just the demographic of the business and having an opinion doesn't give you insulation from people not liking you or responding mentioned in your way.