After firing the Google engineer responsible for penning a 10-page "manifesto" attributing the lack of female representation in the technology industry to biological differences, the company is proceeding with caution in its attempt to address the alleged lack of diversity within its own walls and in Silicon Valley.
Here are five developments in issue.
1. Google fired engineer James Damore Monday after he authored a memo titled "Google's Ideological Echo Chamber." In the 10-page document, Mr. Damore argued biological and psychological differences constitute the main reasons for the industry's lack of female representation, not discrimination. The memo was initially published by Gizmodo Aug. 5.
2. Prior to his termination, Mr. Damore filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Google executives were "misrepresenting and shaming [him] in order to silence [his] complaints," The New York Times reported Aug. 7.
3. Following the release of the memo, Google reportedly planned to hold a company meeting to address gender issues at the company. However, Google CEO Sundar Pichai sent a memo to employees Aug. 10 canceling the meeting after questions to be asked at the gathering were posted online. The leak, he said, may lead to harassment and safety issues for the staff, according to Bloomberg.
"In recognition of Googlers' concerns, we need to step back and create a better set of conditions for us to have the discussion," Mr. Pichai wrote. "So in the coming days we will find several forums to gather and engage with Googlers, where people can feel comfortable to speak freely."
4. Despite numerous objections from individuals within and outside of Google and the tech industry, Mr. Damore's memo garnered some support. An anonymous group on the conservative fundraising website WeSearchr raised more than $40,000 to "help James get back on his feet and see if he can fight Google."
5. Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of the 48th district of California voiced his support for Mr. Damore on Twitter Aug. 10, stating "If Silicon Valley continues with its illegal hiring practice Congress must investigate."