‘Obviously Illegal:’ Elon Musk Slams IBM Chief Arvind Krishna Over Leaked Video On Diversity-Focused Hiring Practices – IBM (NYSE:IBM)

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has faced criticism from Tesla CEO Elon Musk after a leaked video revealed that Krishna pressured executives to implement discriminatory practices in the hiring process. The video, shared by journalist James O’Keefe, shows Krishna stating that executives at IBM who failed to hire sufficient Black or Hispanic candidates or hired too many Asians would lose their bonuses.

In the leaked video, Krishna is seen discussing diversity and inclusion standards set by the company. He mentions that executives need to hire a certain percentage of underrepresented groups and gender to receive a bonus. He also states that if executives fail to meet these standards, they will lose part of their bonus. This approach has drawn criticism as it potentially violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on race in the workplace.

Musk commented on the leaked video, expressing concern and stating that the practices shown are obviously illegal. The alleged double standards employed by IBM have drawn further criticism, with some pointing out that the company pulled ads from platforms citing a zero tolerance policy for hate speech and discrimination, while internally penalizing individuals for not discriminating enough.

It’s worth noting that Musk’s endorsement of an anti-Semitic post led to controversy earlier this year, causing several advertisers, including Apple, to withdraw their ads from the platform. However, during the New York Times DealBook Summit, Musk suggested that he wasn’t bothered by the controversy.

This incident comes after the Department of Justice sued Musk-owned SpaceX earlier this year for allegedly discriminating against asylees and refugees in the hiring process. The lawsuit highlighted the importance of fair and non-discriminatory hiring practices in the workplace.

Overall, the leaked video and the subsequent criticism from Elon Musk highlight the importance of fair and equitable hiring practices in companies. Discrimination based on race or any other factor is not only morally wrong but also illegal. Companies need to ensure that their hiring practices promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all individuals.