Google Admits Its Workforce Lacks Diversity - InformationWeek

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Comments
Google Admits Its Workforce Lacks Diversity
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AmyInNH
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50%
AmyInNH,
 User Rank: Apprentice
10/16/2014 | 5:07:39 PM
Re: I've never figured out how this was supposed to work
Google's HR looked into it and said their young white and asian men have a problem, that their young and white or asian males interviewers only want to work with young and white or asian males and will claim anyone who isn't is not "qualified".

Simply put, sexist, racist and ageist.  Google, the ONLY one to do an honest assessment.  They said they await their peers in the industry to do an honest eval, no takers in the months since.
impactnow
50%
50%
impactnow,
 User Rank: Author
6/9/2014 | 1:30:41 PM
Re: percentage
It's an interesting point. I personally believe that a diverse workforce comes from a company recognizing that different groups bring different talents to the table. If a company does not recognize this and want to bring these diverse skills and perspectives to their work environment, the discussion is simply lip service.
mak63
100%
0%
mak63,
 User Rank: Ninja
5/30/2014 | 7:09:57 PM
percentage
According to the article's numbers, it seems to me, that Google's workforce is closely related to the percentage of the computer science graduates in the US.
"Google said its workforce is 70% male and 30% female." (Leadership= 79% men, 21% women. Technical workers= 83% men, 17% women.) 3% Hispanic and 2% Black
Women= 18% of the computer science degrees in the US
Hispanics and Blacks= less than 5% of computer science degrees graduates
cafzali
50%
50%
cafzali,
 User Rank: Moderator
5/30/2014 | 1:17:26 PM
I've never figured out how this was supposed to work
I think it's admirable of Google to publish these numbers and I think striving for a diversity target is a great thing. However, one fact that gets left out of these discussions in regard to certain positions is that unless you create jobs specifically in the name of diversity, you're not going to easily hit targets at employers who have a higher portion of jobs that require specialized skills.

Simply put, this problem exists largely because many Americans either can't and/or are unwilling to take the coursework that would put them on a path to a highly-paid position at Google or somewhere similar. I'm not saying most do this out of laziness -- a large chunk of people just don't have the aptitude to be a successful computer science major. Having said that, if that's the reason for the gap, it doesn't equal a conspiracy either.
pdembry950
50%
50%
pdembry950,
 User Rank: Apprentice
5/30/2014 | 12:31:58 PM
Make it simple
Just enforce a quota regime on all employers and the "problem" will be solved. What the "activists" and other whiners never admit is that this is exactly what they want. If you are measuring success by comparing against the percentage representation of the various grievance groups in the general population, then you are proposing a de facto hiring quota. To satisfy the whiners, Google needs to create a schedule of different requirements for the various protected groups. Colleges already do this with GPA, SAT, etc... scores required for admission for different ethnic groups. Then everyone will be happy as we sink to mediocrity with the "correct" representation of every grievance group. Paging Harrison Bergeron.
techgurudude
100%
0%
techgurudude,
 User Rank: Strategist
5/30/2014 | 12:27:34 PM
illegal
as much as they want to promote this the major software companies are guilty of not hiring US CItizens.

This is a way to rewrite the laws protecting Americans citizens EEO, not mass flood immigrant low-wage low-skilled labor.

 

This law protects American Citizens and companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft are all guilty of violating.


Of course, the promotion and marketing by them to hire my low wage workers and import them to stay, is not what the law is for!

 

Protection of American Citizens right to EEO is the ONLY law we have left to fight these corporations from exporting the entire workforce to the worlds cheapest labor.


Microsoft is the biggest violator, with over 70% non American citizens working on campus in Redmond.

 

I have no problem with immigrants who become citizens and wait in line like my ancestors. Why should these humans be given a free ticket while others have been waiting for twenty YEARS to get into this country! Because they are the lowest bidder on work, driving down the wage and quality of life for the enture community. More mass flood, more profits, lower quality of life each time.


Very negative and anti-American companies they have become.

 

 
majenkins
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50%
majenkins,
 User Rank: Ninja
5/30/2014 | 9:36:49 AM
Re: Yawn
Chris I realize it was pressure to release that you were talking about. My point was that because of those same activists and the PR issues they can create a company like Google would never admit that they really didn't care if their workforce was diversified as long as the people they had got the job done.
ChrisMurphy
50%
50%
ChrisMurphy,
 User Rank: Author
5/30/2014 | 9:32:15 AM
Re: Yawn
@majenkins, Thanks for the response. I would clarify that "Bowing to pressure from activists" refers to Google being pressured to release data on hiring demographics. The article didn't contend that Google is only concerned about the issue of diversity because it's being pressured to do so.   
Laurianne
50%
50%
Laurianne,
 User Rank: Author
5/30/2014 | 9:22:36 AM
Re: Yawn
For these numbers to change in a meaningful way, effort has to start long before the Google interview process. If a tech company is serious about recruiting more women and minorities, it can work with local universities to develop a talent pool. It can mentor. It can encourage. It can even give scholarships. Can the Googles of the world do more in this regard? That is up to them. I am volunteering with a group of university women in STEM majors and there is no shortage of brain power there, or ambition. Put students in a setting where they are encouraged to stay in STEM programs, and they will thrive -- and become powerful future job candidates, regardless of race or gender. 
majenkins
50%
50%
majenkins,
 User Rank: Ninja
5/30/2014 | 9:19:12 AM
Re: Yawn
Chris you explained the "Google isn't where they want to be" part with your very first sentence. "Bowing to pressure from activists . . . " . They aren't where they want to be because the activists want them someplace else. How many times have we seen someone express their true feelings and then bow to pressure from activists and apologize later because their true feelings weren't politically correct?
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