Photo by fauxels
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have long been heralded as pillars of progressive workplace culture.
Yet, in 2025, a noticeable shift has occurred, with several tech giants scaling back their DEI initiatives. Google recently announced its decision to scrap U.S.-based DEI hiring goals, attributing this move partly to regulatory pressures stemming from the new Presidential executive orders (The Guardian).
The bigger picture: tech industry trends
Google isn't alone in this move. Microsoft disbanded its DEI team in mid-2024 (HeyyyHR), while Meta and Amazon have also revised their diversity recruitment targets (Mi3).
While corporate leaders cite legal constraints and operational refocus, these moves have raised concerns about the long-term commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces.
A global perspective
Karan Bhatia, Google's global head of government affairs, clarified that the rollback is U.S.-specific and unlikely to impact international markets (The Economic Times).
On the Google website, there is a page dedicated to Belonging, and the VP of Googler Engagement, Melonie Parker states that “To build products that help billions of people reach their goals, we’re bringing together talented people from everywhere and empowering them to do their best work.” It feels a tad contradictory to me but there are many examples of Google supporting diversity initiatives.
What will happen in Australia?
For Australian businesses like ours, the local landscape may remain unchanged. However, such high-profile decisions often influence broader industry practices.
In addition to the the above stats, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census data shows that 50.7% of the population is female.
Why would you want to alienate so many potentially profitable job applicants, suppliers or customers??
Online is Easy's perspective
As an Australian Google Cloud Partner and Google Workspace Reseller, Online is Easy champions Google’s innovative cloud based productivity software to empower small businesses. We often feel like "the little guy" in Google's predominantly enterprise-focused ecosystem. Our clients are predominantly small business, sole traders and micro-businesses, not large corporations. We live by the principle: "The things we walk past, we accept." While acknowledging Google's decision, we also recognise the broader societal discourse it ignites.
Why does diversity evoke fear? What is it about a woman leading a team or a man expressing themselves authentically that unsettles people? How does a piece of clothing attributed to one sex become such an issue if it’s worn by the opposite sex? In a modern society, why is ‘gendering’ a human so important anyway? Such questions deserve introspection rather than reaction.
Instagram post: @onlineiseasy
My personal perspective
Personally, very early in my life, I threw off the boundaries imposed on me to 'be a man,' and I truly believe that this paradigm — and misogyny in general — harms both men and women. Understanding and accepting that I was queer has to be one of the most liberating things I’ve done in my life. It came with some tribulation and there’s a very good reason I walk in Pride March every year. I’m proud to call myself a feminist, queer, and I voted yes in the referendum. Other people’s equity and equality does not diminish mine.
Everyday of my life I see, predominantly men, dripping with shame and anger because they don’t feel confidant enough to be their authentic selves and so they attempt to squash those who do. SOOO many studies show that much of the hateful homophobic crimes against LGBTQI+ people come from latently homosexual people.
Last night, my partner and I attended a show by trans comedian and activist @alokvmenon in Melbourne. It was awesome. ALOK has a remarkable way of holding up a mirror to fear and hate, helping us see these reactions for what they truly are, projections of our own inner struggles. They reminded us that authenticity, compassion, and understanding aren’t just personal choices — they’re the foundation of stronger, creative, interesting, and more inclusive communities.
Watching the show inspired me to write this post, as it reinforced the importance acknowledging and confronting fear with love.
The fear behind diversity resistance
Almost as soon as I posted the photo on social media, a comment hit my DMs from someone I know and care about — “he should at least shave his chest”. This kind of response is no surprise to women, who have forever been dealing with unsolicited comments about how they should exist, and it drives home the reason ALOK needs to be heard.
Why does diversity provoke such strong reactions?
Fear often stems from the unfamiliar or misunderstood, or from a rigid definition of how we should exist to belong in the ‘collective’ that the commenter is inwardly working hard to adhere to. People who haven't encountered diverse experiences feel threatened by those who live or express themselves differently, especially if they appear free in their expression. Those of us who experience these fear laden responses need to remember that they are just that, fears that reflect internal insecurity of the speaker rather than any real or perceived external threat. It isn’t something you should take onboard, but perhaps you can ask the speaker - are you ok? ❤️
When leaders and business people embrace diversity, they don't just follow a trend — they strengthen their teams, customers, and suppliers, with varied perspectives, which ultimately drives innovation, resilience, and profit.
“Diversity isn’t a box to check; it’s a reflection of the world we serve, compassionate participation in society, and a smart business practice to leverage revenue.”
Balancing ethics with practicality
From a business perspective, Google's Workspace suite remains unparalleled for cloud-native productivity. For over 30 years, I personally used, recommended and installed Microsoft Office.
In 2016, I reluctantly explored G Suite (the original name of Google Workspace) as a requirement of one of my training contracts — within a year, I’d completely transitioned (no puns intended). By 2019, I was an Authorised Reseller. I recognised the power of Workspace's seamless cloud functionality for my clients.
In my opinion, MS-365 productivity software is outdated software with a new image slapped on the facade - in saying that, I still work in the Windows operating system. I commend Microsoft's recent response to the DEI rollback in the USA stating that "transparency and accountability are not a trend or a season" (TechTarget), but when they had already disbanding their DEI team in 2024, it raises questions about the depth of such commitments.
Ultimately, abandoning efficient digital tools to protest corporate decisions might be a case of "cutting off your nose to spite your face." Our mission is to support small businesses in Australia with world-class tools while advocating for inclusivity in our community.
The path forward
Diversity matters — not as a corporate buzzword but as a reflection of our communities. Tech giants may recalibrate their DEI strategies, but small businesses can lead by example: fostering inclusive cultures, supporting diverse suppliers, and engaging in conversations that challenge biases.
Outside of this blog and providing a safe space in my business and in my community service for marginised communities, my ability to change the narrative is limited.
Online is Easy will continue to help small businesses look big online and will continue training and innovating with Google Workspace and Gemini AI. And, we will continue to support marginalised and diverse communities, local small business and solo-preneurs in the process.
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We welcome everyone with an open mind and zero jargon. Use the WhatsApp chatbox on the website, all me directly on 0417 047 632 or schedule a free 15 minute discovery video call online.
