The Ongoing Pursuit of Diversity and Inclusion in Tech

For several years, the concept of diversity and inclusion has been a focal point for technology companies. However, genuine inclusion remains elusive within the industry, despite the dedicated efforts of diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders.

During TC Sessions: Justice, a discussion was held with Uber’s Chief Diversity Officer, Bo Young Lee, and Netflix’s VP of Inclusion Strategy for Product, Wade Davis, concerning the work that still lies ahead, the ramifications of California’s Proposition 22, and related matters.

Reflections on Last Summer’s Movement for Racial Justice

Following the tragic death of George Floyd and the ensuing heightened awareness of racial injustice in the United States, numerous tech companies publicly addressed issues of racism and equality. Davis expressed satisfaction at the increased dialogue but also voiced frustration that “such an event is often required to truly motivate engagement.”

Lee admitted to initial skepticism, citing a pattern of similar responses following previous instances of violence against Black individuals.

She emphasized the importance of ensuring that any commitments made by Uber weren’t merely performative, but rather substantive and impactful.

The subsequent release of Uber’s post-anti-racism diversity report, revealing a decline in its Black employee base, was deemed unacceptable by Lee.

• A decrease in Uber’s Black employee representation occurred despite stated commitments to anti-racism.

Acknowledging the Early Stage of the DEI Journey

Netflix, while previously sharing some diversity data, published its inaugural official diversity report only this year. This timing is partly attributable to the relatively recent establishment of the dedicated DEI team, which has been in place for the last three years, as Davis explained.

• The future trajectory of diversity and inclusion initiatives within the tech sector.

Distributing the Responsibility for DEI

The burden of DEI work frequently falls disproportionately on a small group of individuals. Davis highlighted that at Netflix, a shared responsibility is crucial, with all leaders capable of articulating the importance of diversity within the organization.

Examining the Impact of Proposition 22 on Communities of Color

Proposition 22 took effect in California earlier this year after a highly contested debate. Tech companies, including Uber and Lyft, advocated for maintaining the independent contractor status of their workers, while opponents sought employee classification with associated benefits. The passage of Prop 22 represented a victory for Uber and its allies, who invested over $200 million in the campaign.

Concerns have been raised regarding the compatibility of Uber’s commitment to anti-racism with the fact that a significant portion of its gig workers are people of color. However, Lee countered this assertion.

Prop 22 was enacted in response to AB 5, legislation that established new worker classification standards intended to limit the classification of workers as independent contractors.

• The California Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Prop 22.
• Uber is actively lobbying for similar gig work standards, modeled after Prop 22, within the European Union.
• Further legal battles concerning gig worker rights are anticipated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhb68vQdHYM

The complete transcript of the discussion is available here.

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