Google Calendar's Cultural Holiday Removal: A Blow to DEI Initiatives?

Google Calendar has recently removed default entries for cultural and identity-based holidays, such as Pride Month, Black History Month, and Indigenous Peoples Month. This decision has raised concerns about the company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and its role as a corporate citizen in promoting social justice and equality. This article explores the implications of this change and its alignment with Google's previous commitments to DEI.

Google Calendar's default calendar previously included these important cultural moments, but the company has since reverted to showing only public holidays and national observances from timeanddate.com. This change has been criticized by users who have taken to Google's Help forums and social media to express their frustration and concern. One user on X wrote, "@/Google please change this back. It's such an important time that those holiday months should be acknowledged. Our government is trying to erase them please don't assist in this. I know logistically it might be difficult but this is important. Please reconsider." Another user on the same topic pointed out the irony that Holocaust Remembrance Day is missing given that Google just published a blog post marking its dedication to preserving history related to the Holocaust.

The removal of these holidays from Google Calendar can have a significant impact on their visibility and recognition in the broader public consciousness. Google Calendar is a widely used tool that many people rely on to stay organized and informed about important events and observances. By removing these holidays from the default calendar, Google is effectively reducing their visibility and making it less likely that users will be aware of and celebrate these important cultural moments.

This change has significant potential implications for DEI initiatives and policies within Google and other tech companies. Here are some key implications:

1. Perception of Commitment to DEI: The removal of these holidays may be perceived as a lack of commitment to DEI initiatives, both internally and externally. Google has previously been criticized for not doing enough to promote diversity and inclusion, and this change could exacerbate those concerns (The Verge, 2022).
2. Employee Morale and Engagement: Employees who value and celebrate these holidays may feel demoralized or disengaged, as they perceive the company as not supporting or acknowledging their identities or cultural backgrounds. This could lead to decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and a less inclusive work environment (TechCrunch, 2022).
3. Recruitment and Retention: Prospective employees may be deterred from joining Google or other tech companies that make similar changes, as they may view these companies as less supportive of diversity and inclusion. Additionally, current employees who value these holidays may choose to leave, further impacting recruitment and retention efforts (The Advocate, 2022).
4. Alignment with Anti-DEI Agenda: The timing of this change, following the rollback of DEI efforts and the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, suggests that Google may be aligning with a broader anti-DEI agenda. This could lead to further criticism and potential backlash from employees, customers, and stakeholders (TechCrunch, 2022).
5. Impact on Other Tech Companies: If Google's decision to remove these holidays is seen as a successful cost-cutting measure or a way to appease conservative stakeholders, other tech companies may follow suit, leading to a broader rollback of DEI initiatives across the industry (The Verge, 2022).
6. Potential Legal and Regulatory Implications: Depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances, the removal of these holidays could potentially have legal or regulatory implications. For example, if the change is seen as discriminatory or in violation of anti-discrimination laws, it could lead to legal challenges or regulatory scrutiny (The Verge, 2022).

In conclusion, the removal of cultural and identity-based holidays from Google Calendar has significant potential implications for DEI initiatives and policies within Google and other tech companies. These implications range from perception and employee engagement to recruitment, retention, and legal and regulatory concerns. It is crucial for tech companies to consider these implications and engage in open dialogue with employees, customers, and stakeholders to address any concerns and mitigate potential negative impacts.