Sundar Pichai writes note to employees saying anti-diversity memo violated Google's code of conduct

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The fallout from James Damore's anti diversity memo has been swift and wide-reaching. The senior software engineer was dramatically fired after expressing views which ran counter to Google's drive for diversity in the workplace.

Company CEO Sundar Pichai responded to the memo in an internally-circulated note to staff which was then also shared publicly. In it, he acknowledged the furor surrounding the memo and said that "portions of the memo violate our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace."

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In the note, Pichai neither names James Damore, nor makes reference to his dismissal. He suggests that a "vast majority of Googlers disagree" with the memo, although it's not clear whether he has conducted a straw poll, or if this is just wishful thinking. Despite the author of the memo having been fired, Pichai uses his note to say that "people must feel free to express dissent" -- but in the light of what happened this time around, it would seem foolhardy of anyone not towing the company line to express a difference of opinion.

Google is clearly keen for as many people as possible to see Pichai's response. Although the note was sent internally to employees, Pichai himself shared it on the Google blog, and the post was also advertised on the Google Twitter account:

You can read the full text of the note below:

This has been a very difficult time. I wanted to provide an update on the memo that was circulated over this past week.

First, let me say that we strongly support the right of Googlers to express themselves, and much of what was in that memo is fair to debate, regardless of whether a vast majority of Googlers disagree with it. However, portions of the memo violate our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace. Our job is to build great products for users that make a difference in their lives. To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK. It is contrary to our basic values and our Code of Conduct, which expects "each Googler to do their utmost to create a workplace culture that is free of harassment, intimidation, bias and unlawful discrimination."

The memo has clearly impacted our co-workers, some of whom are hurting and feel judged based on their gender. Our co-workers shouldn’t have to worry that each time they open their mouths to speak in a meeting, they have to prove that they are not like the memo states, being “agreeable" rather than "assertive," showing a "lower stress tolerance," or being "neurotic."

At the same time, there are co-workers who are questioning whether they can safely express their views in the workplace (especially those with a minority viewpoint). They too feel under threat, and that is also not OK. People must feel free to express dissent. So to be clear again, many points raised in the memo -- such as the portions criticizing Google's trainings, questioning the role of ideology in the workplace, and debating whether programs for women and underserved groups are sufficiently open to all -- are important topics. The author had a right to express their views on those topics -- we encourage an environment in which people can do this and it remains our policy to not take action against anyone for prompting these discussions.

The past few days have been very difficult for many at the company, and we need to find a way to debate issues on which we might disagree -- while doing so in line with our Code of Conduct. I’d encourage each of you to make an effort over the coming days to reach out to those who might have different perspectives from your own. I will be doing the same.

I have been on work related travel in Africa and Europe the past couple of weeks and had just started my family vacation here this week. I have decided to return tomorrow as clearly there’s a lot more to discuss as a group -- including how we create a more inclusive environment for all.

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