Google diversity memo author sacked following row

A major row erupted at Google after a memo written by an employee criticising affirmative action programmes was shared widely across the company.

The software engineer at the Alphabet-owned company wrote the memo, which was initially circulated internally before being made public. While the employee has not officially been named by the company, but some reports have named him as James Damore.

The 'manifesto' argues that gender pay gaps and other inequalities between men and women are related to innate differences between the two sexes.

Several female staff members have made complaints in relation to the memo, while many employees have also come out in support of the engineer.

Google had moved to distance itself from the memo, saying that it represents the view of one member of staff and not the company itself.

Several female staff members have made complaints in relation to the memo

In April the US Department of Labor found that there was a serious gender gap issue with regard to payment in the tech company.

"We need to stop assuming that gender gaps imply sexism," the employee wrote in the memo.

"We always ask why we don't see women in top leadership positions, but we never ask why we see so many men in these jobs. These positions often require long, stressful hours that may not be worth it if you want a balanced and fulfilling life."

The memo also took at aim at a culture of oppressive management at Google, where those who expressed conservative views were silenced by left-leaning leadership.

"Google’s left bias has created a politically correct monoculture that maintains its hold by shaming dissenters into silence."

"This silence removes any checks against encroaching extremist and authoritarian policies."