The Google engineer behind the infamous anti-diversity "manifesto" that took the company by storm over the weekend has reportedly been fired.
James Damore, a software engineer who allegedly penned the memo, confirmed the firing over email to Bloomberg, and Recode also reported he had been let go according to their unnamed sources. A Google spokesperson told Mashable it couldn't comment on individual employee cases.
The author's identity, revealed in the Bloomberg report, had also been noted in a Motherboard post featuring a more complete copy of his memo.
In a companywide email, first reported by Recode, CEO Sundar Pichai said parts of the lengthy document "violate our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace."
SEE ALSO: Google recruiters are getting an earful about that sexist 'manifesto'
"To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK," Pichai wrote. "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 statement is Google's most forceful condemnation yet of the document, which alleged that there are "biological causes" that prevent more women from getting jobs in tech and leadership positions. Previously, the company's VP of Diversity and an engineering VP released statements that were not as forceful as many critics would have liked.
Even so, Pichai was careful to point out that "many points raised in the memo ... are important topics," and reiterated that "people must feel free to express dissent" within the company.
Pichai, who had just recently returned from work trips in Europe and Africa, said he was postponing a family vacation to hold a Town Hall later this week so employees could discuss the issue.
Source:
http://mashable.com/2017/08/07/google-ceo-sundar-pichai-manifesto-response/?utm_cid=hp-h-4#Vv7NQw.25aqN
