Google discloses its workforce is mostly white, male
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (KGO) -- The debate over the lack of diversity in the tech industry heated up today over a bold step by Google. The Mountain View-based company revealed the makeup of its work force and the results are eye-opening.
A Google vice president says they've always been reluctant to publish numbers about the diversity of their workforce, but now realize they were wrong and announced its time to be candid about the issues.
The Google logo is a unique symbol, several different colors, put together in a way that works, but inside the company's buildings is a just revealed secret showing the truth about Silicon Valley -- tech workers aren't that diverse.
In a just released blog post, Google revealed the employee information report all major U.S. employers must file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It shows 70 percent of Google's workforce are men and just 30 percent are women.
Google says there are a lot of reasons why that's the case. Including the fact women earn about 18 percent of all computer science degrees in the U.S. The company says it has given millions to organizations working to bring computer science education to women and girls.
"It has to start in the classroom -- education. They need to be sending their employees to volunteer to help get more girls interested in science and technology," said Jeannie Shea, IT consultant.
Ethnicity diversity is another issue facing tech companies. Google revealed 61 percent of its workers are white, 30 percent Asian, three percent Hispanic and two percent black.
Google Vice President Laszlo Bock said in the blog: "We're not where we want to be when it comes to diversity. And it is hard to address these kinds of challenges if you're not prepared to discuss them openly, and with the facts."
One man ABC7 News spoke with gives Google credit for addressing the issue and releasing this report shows the company is willing to change.
"It takes a lot of brawn to put it out there like that. It does. I've seen that Apple didn't want to put it up so Google put it up so I think that was good for them. You know, do I think they'll change it? Absolutely. I think they'll start looking to hire more minorities. You know, Hispanics, blacks. I think they'll definitely do that," said Matt Miley, Mountain View worker.
Companies are not required to make this information public. That's why civil rights leaders, like Jesse Jackson, are applauding this move, urging other companies to follow Google's lead.
