Some of the world’s biggest companies operating out of Silicon Valley comprise workforces that disproportionately favor males, whites and Asians. Having recently disclosed their workforce diversity statistics for the very first time, a number of firms including Google, Facebook and Twitter have been left with little choice but to admit significant changes are needed.
Apple is yet to publish its own diversity report, though Tim Cook promised than the information would soon be made available when he was interviewed in early June.
Equal opportunities campaigners have unsurprisingly lashed out at the companies at the center of the scandal, insisting that insufficient efforts have been made to bring balance to the workforce. However, there are those that remain adamant that those showing such unequal preference to specific ethic groups and genders are in fact dealing themselves a bum hand.
According to USA Today for example, those without an at least modestly diverse workplace run the risk of losing the respect of consumers and generally finding themselves out of touch with an increasingly diverse general public.
Here’s what that company’s at the center of the debate had to say about their own diversity discrepancies:
“We’re not where we want to be when it comes to diversity,” was Google’s response.
“And it is hard to address these kinds of challenges if you’re not prepared to discuss them openly, and with the facts. All of our efforts, including going public with these numbers, are designed to help us recruit and develop the world’s most talented and diverse people.”
“Research also shows that diverse teams are better at solving complex problems and enjoy more dynamic workplaces,” wrote Facebook’s Maxine Williams.
“So at Facebook we’re serious about building a workplace that reflects a broad range of experience, thought, geography, age, background, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture and many other characteristics. As these numbers show, we have more work to do – a lot more.”
“A Twitter that we can be proud of is diverse, and it’s inclusive…We are keenly aware that Twitter is part of an industry that is marked by dramatic imbalances in diversity — and we are no exception,” said Twitter executive Janet Van Huysse
“By becoming more transparent with our employee data, open in dialogue throughout the company and rigorous in our recruiting…we are making diversity an important business issue for ourselves.”
Yahoo
“Here at Yahoo we are committed to attracting, developing and retaining a diverse workforce,” said Yahoo’s Jacqueline Reses.
“Overall, our goal at Yahoo is to create a workplace culture that attracts and retains all talents, regardless of background, and to help our people grow to their full potential.”
“True inclusion is something that can only be achieved through a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of our member base, and this is something we strive to do in all of our hiring efforts,” explained Pat Wadors of LinkedIn.
“My role as Vice President of Global Talent affords me the unique opportunity to make a positive change in closing the diversity and skills gaps in today’s workforce.”