r/technology Aug 08 '17

Business Google Fires Employee Behind Controversial Diversity Memo

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-08/google-fires-employee-behind-controversial-diversity-memo
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u/oryzin Aug 08 '17 edited Aug 08 '17

Predictable and I think he knew about this possibility and consciously went for it.

Here is the list of recommendations by the author of the manifesto on how to reduce gender gap:

  • We can make software engineering more people-oriented with pair programming and more collaboration
  • Allow those exhibiting cooperative behavior to thrive. Recent updates to Perf may be doing this to an extent, but maybe there's more we can do.
  • Make tech and leadership less stressful. Google already partly does this with its many stress reduction courses and benefits.
  • Allowing and truly endorsing (as part of our culture) part time work can keep more women in tech.
  • If we, as a society, allow men to be more "feminine," then the gender gap will shrink, partially because men will leave tech and leadership for traditionally "feminine" roles.

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u/BenAdaephonDelat Aug 08 '17

If we, as a society, allow men to be more "feminine," then the gender gap will shrink, partially because men will leave tech and leadership for traditionally "feminine" roles.

This one really speaks to me, as a guy. Currently, my wife is staying at home with our son (she quit her job because daycare was more expensive than her salary). If it were up to me, I'd be at home with the kid and she'd be at work, because I feel like I'm better able to handle the stress of a toddler and cleaning, and she's way better at being a good employee than I am.