“To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK,” says Pichai in an email sent to staff, obtained by Recode. “It is contrary to our basic values and our Code of Conduct, which expects ‘each Googler to do their utmost to create a workplace culture that is free of harassment, intimidation, bias and unlawful discrimination.'”
Damore believes he was fired because his views did not match those of the majority at Google.
“There is a dominant ideology at Google, and anyone who dissents against that is either shamed or ostracized. And when it became apparent that I wasn’t backing down to the shame, they had to fire me.”
Damore’s claim that being conservative is like being gay in the 1950’s ired prominent tech journalist Kara Swisher, the executive editor of Recode, who is herself gay.
“Were you forced into electroshock therapy? No? Were you thrown out of your family? No? Did you lose custody of kids? No? Beaten?” Swisher says, tweeting in response to the story.
She says the comparison is unfair because it misrepresents the severity of the discrimination gay people faced. “It’s like comparing yourself to a political prisoner when you get arrested for jaywalking.”
Damore intends to sue Google for the way he was fired.
Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.
See also:
Melinda Gates: It’s time to get real about breastfeeding at work