Ellen Pao, now interim Chief Executive of Reddit a social networking company, has set the public’s attention on gender discrimination at Silicon Valley.
Pao had lost her trial in last month, against Kleiner Perkins Caufield, a venture capital firm in the States, suing them for systematic gender discrimination against herself and other female staff. Although the loss, it has seen more attention drawn to sexism in the workplace, especially in the tech industry, where obviously there are more men than women.
Sourced from their respective websites, there’s still work needed to be done for diversity in the tech organisations and companies.
Google
• 70% Male & 30% Female
Of this
• 61% White
• 30% Asian
• 4% Two or more races
• 3% Hispanic
• 2% African American
Microsoft
• 76% Male & 24% Female
Of this
• 61% White,
• 29% Asian
• 5% Hispanic
• 3% African American
• 1% Two or more races
Apple
• 70% Male & 30% Female
Of this
• 59% White
• 15% Asian
• 11% Hispanic
• 7% African American
• 2% Two or more races
Facebook
• 69% Male & 31% Female
Of which
• 59% White
• 34% Asians
• 4% Hispanic
• 2% African Americans
• 3% Two or more races
Twitter
• 70% Male & 30% Female
Of which
• 59% White
• 29% Asian
• 3% Hispanic
• 3% Two or more races
• 2% African American
Amazon
• 63% Male and 37% Female
Where
• 60% White
• 18% African American
• 13% Asian
• 9% Hispanic
LinkedIn
• 61% Male & 39% Female
Of which
• 53% White
• 38% Asian
• 4% Hispanic
• 2% African American
• 2% Two or more races
Last year, Google spent $115 million in efforts to have a diverse work place, and now has announced that it will be spending $150 million to do the same.
Nancy Lee, Google’s vice president of people operations, said in an interview with USA Today that their strategy is long term and what they are doing can show impact possibly by this year or next; but they do recognise the lack of talent entering into the industry so they have much work to do.
Since Google came out last year from the “diversity closet” other companies like Intel and Apple have opened up about the issue, and have set aside funds to refine their workforce.
In January this year, Intel proposed $60 million a year, for the next five years, for diversity efforts. Two months after, Apple offered $50 million to non-profit organisations that will aim to educate and recruit more people, particularly females and minorities.
Another person who, for years, has been pushing for diversity in the workforce is civil rights leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. Jackson recently talked to a crowd of around 200 hundred people at the PushTech 2020 Summit in San Francisco, US.
“I wish Dr. King were here today,” Jackson said. “You are the fruits of his dreams.”
He applauded Intel’s efforts and added, “While every company can’t match Intel’s ambitious plan they can set targets and timetables.”
While most companies are pledging funds in efforts to improve the situation, we will have to see if it will bear fruit.
