Was Google Wrong to Fire Anti-Diversity Memo Author?

Google fired an employee who wrote a controversial memo opposed to diversity programmes and hiring practices.

The company's chief executive said the "offensive" text advanced "harmful gender stereotypes". Did Google do the right thing?

A senior Google employee, named in US media as James Damore, argued in an internal memo that perhaps tech companies that try diversity programmes to get more women in to the industry are looking at things the wrong way.

It's not just because of recruitment practices or education or discrimination that more men than women work in the tech industry, he argued, but because of biological differences.

"I think it's wrong for a company to fire someone for simply expressing their opinion," said Jodie Ginsberg of the Index on Censorship pressure group.

Asked whether Mr Damore being fired was censorship, she said yes. "Yes, in that the message it's sending is that people are not free to express their beliefs and opinions.

The message is we should just shut down the views with which we disagree. "A much better way is to discuss those opinions openly." 
 

UCJ, UNILORIN.