The Achievement of Diversity at Google - Essay Example

Since employees are hired and retained at the Company purely based on their professional merit, this helps to ensure that bright and smart people from every group of persons, including minorities, women, disabled people, etc are all represented at Google.

The achievement of diversity is an important objective of the Company. It is not restricted merely to the HR department of the Company but is an integral part of Company policy. The Company specifically has several support programs to provide a means for girls and people from minority groups to take up the study of subjects such as Science, Math, and Engineering (www.greatplacetowork.com) by working in partnership with other organizations. For example, Google works in tandem with Citizen Schools, Sally Ride Science Festival, FIRST Robotics, TechBridge, and Expanding your Horizons, all of which are geared towards encouraging the participation of traditionally unrepresented groups such as women and minorities. Google aids in funding programs conducted by these educational institutions, such as organizing after-school programs and competitions, as well as providing mentoring relationships and technical skill workshops specifically for these particular groups.

Google's work practices and working environments are also tailored to meet the needs of female employees. For instance, the Company allows flexibility in working hours, mothers' rooms, and family programs, as well as transgender restrooms, thus demonstrating its commitment towards ensuring that minority groups such as women and trans-sexuals are also made to feel welcome and a part of the Google team. (www.google.com). Google comprises several different Employee resource groups, such as the Google Women Network, Google Disability Network, Hispanic Googler Network, Asian American Googler Network, etc. These support groups provide opportunities for interaction and networking among members of these particular groups, providing information to these minority groups about the Company’s HR policies and programs as well as existing opportunities for growth and professional development (www.google.com). The Gayglers group consists of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender employees, which participate in Gay Pride month and are actively involved in promoting the rights of these minority groups.

The Company also has an Equal Opportunity Employment policy and does not encourage or follow a policy of discrimination in its hiring policies and company practices. The Company prohibits discrimination of any kind against employees based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion,n or any other criterion and hires people purely based on professional merit (www.google.com). In this way, the Company also fosters a policy of inclusion by ensuring that no form of discrimination is practiced, so that all employees, irrespective of their background, feel included and respected with their contributions being valued. Read More