Google Abandons DEI Hiring Targets Amid Changing Corporate Landscape

In a notable shift, Google has decided to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring targets, signaling a broader trend of reassessing corporate diversity policies across major U.S. companies. The move, revealed in an internal memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal, follows similar decisions by other major corporations, reflecting a changing business climate that prioritizes merit-based hiring over mandated diversity goals.

According to the report, Google will no longer set hiring benchmarks based on race or gender to expand its workforce. This marks a departure from commitments made in 2020 following George Floyd’s death, which included a pledge to increase "leadership representation of underrepresented groups" by 30% by 2025.

Additionally, Alphabet’s annual report omitted a previous statement affirming its commitment to making DEI part of everything it does—a phrase present in its reports from 2021 through 2024.

Regulatory and Legal Considerations

The internal memo cited recent court rulings and executive orders as key factors in Google's policy shift. These legal and regulatory changes have led to a reevaluation of DEI programs across federal agencies, the military, and government contractors.

While removing hiring targets, Google reaffirmed its commitment to investing in diverse metropolitan areas, stating:"We'll continue to invest in states across the U.S.—and in many countries globally—but in the future, we will no longer have aspirational goals."

The memo also emphasized Google’s ongoing dedication to fairness and a merit-based work environment, stating:"Google has always been committed to creating a workplace where we hire the best people wherever we operate, create an environment where everyone can thrive, and treat everyone fairly. That’s exactly what you can expect to see going forward."

A Broader Shift in Corporate America

Google’s decision follows a similar move by Meta, where CEO Mark Zuckerberg scaled back DEI initiatives and eliminated politically biased fact-checking programs. Other corporations, including Walmart and McDonald’s, have also begun rolling back DEI-focused hiring strategies in response to shifting priorities and legal considerations.

Over the past year, corporate America has undergone a significant reevaluation of DEI policies, spurred by legal challenges, executive actions, and public debate over the effectiveness and fairness of diversity quotas in hiring and promotions.

As Google and other major companies adjust their approaches, the trend suggests that merit-based hiring and a more neutral approach to workforce diversity may become the new norm in corporate America.