Bias at Google
In the article, "Exposing Hidden Bias at Google," Farhad Manjoo discusses the bias and prejudice displayed towards women in one of today's largest multinational corporation: Google. Many companies in today's society display what is known as "unconscious bias" toward women. This is supported by Google's statistics page (calculated in the workplace) with examples such as overall gender distribution/employment, where men consist of 83 percent of engineering employees at Google, and gender distribution in executive positions where men consist of 79 percent of Google's managers. The fact that Google has reached the prosperous point it is in today, with the workplace consisting of a majority of men, upsets me because if the workplace was more diverse, they would have a more diverse mindset accomplishing tasks or developing new and unique innovations, and Google would have achieved more than it has today (where a majority of one of type of mindset is accomplishing tasks).
Another issue of the unconscious bias at Google that frustrates me is that since Google is one of the biggest companies today, it serves as a role model for future/arising companies. If Google serves as a poor model, containing hidden bias (with a majority of males in the workspace), it will affect the future companies that theme their companies off of Google's standards, and this will in turn will affect America's future. It doesn't surprise me of how companies like Google acknowledge that their company consists of a majority of men, and claim to be doing everything they can to improve these issues, but the numbers don't support their claim. After all, they company was founded by men, and was successful, so why would they not continue this trend. However, containing an even amount of males and females in the workplace will not only create a sense of equality and justice in the workplace, thereby increasing efficiency, but it will also create a more diverse team, which results in innovations and developments that could not be accomplished with one mindset. Google is just one of many examples of companies that exhibit bias and claim to be "solving" the issue.
Source: Exposing Hidden Bias at Google
Source: Exposing Hidden Bias at Google
I enjoyed your response to the article "Exposing Hidden Bias at Google." Your use of statistics was good and your thoughts portrayed your understanding of the article.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast is very hard for my eyes. Can you make it more friendly? Thanks : )
ReplyDeleteThough I agree with your claims regarding Google in your second paragraph, I think you fail to realize just how complex this issue is. Of course it seems simple on the surface, but in reality, you can't exactly blame Google for not showing an immense change in personnel in such a short amount of time. Google is a company, and it's primary focus is to make money. Although they have shifted this focus a little bit towards gender equality in order to make itself more pleasing to the public, the actual change itself is one that takes decades. You can't expect such a large company to change their workforce in only a couple of years, especially since the one they already have is so effective, a claim that you yourself made in your second paragraph. An alteration of that magnitude would be both impractical and detrimental to the company, whose primary goal, again, is to make money. Also, this issue doesn't begin and end with Google; many bloggers have posted thought-provoking responses about how this problem goes back to educational opportunities and how some jobs are seen as "mainly for men/women". However with all this in mind, I found your response interesting nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying, especially the fact that a more diverse workforce will create much more diverse and unique ideas. I also like the fact that you used statistics that display this overwhelming inequality when it comes to gender and the workplace. Lastly, I like how you refer to this bias as "unconscious bias" because it isn't as noticeable as other types, and in some cases people aren't even aware they are being bias. I will look forward to reading your future blog posts.
ReplyDeleteI like your point about creating a more diverse range of ideas.It makes sense that by adding a larger diverse population, you can achieve more things. Especially with a company as massive as Google, it will greatly affect the output of the company if there is a larger body of female perspectives.
ReplyDeleteI acknowledge your point that Google may be acting as a poor role model for future businesses, and propose that this has been happening throughout all of history. Male-dominant businesses have existed since the first "sort've-cooked fish" stand of ancient Mesopotamia and businesses appearing after that have all been influenced by one another. Google seems to be one of the first businesses to publicly announce efforts to change this dominance, acting as one of the first contemporary positive role models for businesses.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if Google continues to be a "bad role model", other companies will continue to follow them, or tread their own path?
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate how you go beyond the text and think about other things affected by gender inequality. Also, the thought that more gender equal workplaces creates diverse thinking is a great idea. I never really thought about smaller things like that affect by gender.
I do agree with your claim that a more diverse team in Google will create new innovations. Different views will create different ideas. However, I don't believe that Google can be a role model in that way. There's a reason Google released the statistics of the amount of males in their workforce. They wouldn't have released it if they expected their diversity program to fail. I believe they put more thought onto improving their public picture more than an actual diverse group. Google is a role model, but they put business first.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your article. I agree that Google is a role model company and that it should be setting examples. I don't agree that having an even amount of men and women will solve the problem, but that men and women should be given the same chance. Thank you for providing us with input that goes beyond the words in the article.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement that having both mindsets of a male and a female can take the company further than with one mindset. I disagree with your statement that Google can and will largely affect other major corporations. Each company rules themselves and having a large statement such as yours, where many companies would follow in their footsteps of having a predominantly male work force could be too debatable.
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