Business Communication and Character

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Facebook Memo from Conservative Employees

Reminiscent of last year's Google memo titled "Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber," a group of politically conservative employees at Facebook wrote a memo titled "We Have a Problem With Political Diversity." The message is similar: employees who hold conservative views do not feel included at the company.

The memo emphasizes two major points:

  • "We are a political monoculture that’s intolerant of different views."
  • "We do this so consistently that employees are afraid to say anything when they disagree with what’s around them politically."

The writer includes some evidence, and business communication students may want more. The end of the memo, which is much shorter and less divisive than Google's, includes a call to action: for interested employees to join a Facebook group, now showing 1422 members.

Discussion:

  • Assess the memo for organization. Are the headings clear and parallel? What are the strengths, and what could be improved?
  • Now assess the evidence. Which facts and examples do you find most and least convincing? What additional evidence would improve the arguments?
  • What's your view of the employees' approach? Do you find the memo and call to join a Facebook group an effective choice for the company? What could be some alternatives? 
  • In what ways is this situation an example of diversity and inclusion at Facebook?
  • In what ways does the memo demonstrate courage?