Microsoft won’t publish a 2025 diversity & inclusion report — what it means for transparency

Microsoft has confirmed it will not publish a traditional annual diversity and inclusion (D&I) report for 2025. Instead, the company says it is shifting toward “more dynamic and accessible” formats such as stories, videos and other insights. The company’s communications chief framed the move as an evolution of how it shares information about inclusion in action.

Microsoft published public D&I reports annually since 2019, which provided metrics on workforce composition, pay equity and hiring progress. The change this year means the company will not provide a single, consolidated report with the same set of data, making it harder for observers to compare year‑to‑year metrics in one place.

Context and reaction

Observers noted the shift amid a broader retrenchment of formal DEI programs across some companies and in the political sphere. Earlier moves by other tech firms to scale back or alter D&I practices have heightened scrutiny of how companies report on representation and workplace equity. Microsoft says it is not abandoning its commitments, but without a standard report the public has fewer clear reference points for assessing progress.

Key issues to watch

• Data transparency: Annual reports made numerical trends easy to track. Expect calls for Microsoft to clearly signpost where and how it will publish comparable metrics going forward.
• Format vs. substance: Stories and videos can illustrate impact, but independent observers often rely on raw data to verify progress on pay equity and hiring.
• Investor & public scrutiny: Shareholders and advocacy groups may press Microsoft for consistent, accessible data — especially if compensation or representation gaps persist.
• Industry trend: Watch whether other large tech firms follow suit or double down on formal reporting.

Read more: Coverage and commentary on the change are available in outlets tracking the decision (opens in a new tab): Engadget — Microsoft skips 2025 diversity report.

Microsoft’s statement said the company will continue its DEI work but will present it in different formats. Without a consolidated report, however, watchdogs and the public may find it harder to monitor metrics like pay parity and representation.

Discussion: Do you see Microsoft’s move to “stories and videos” as a better way to communicate inclusion, or does skipping a formal report reduce accountability? Share your thoughts.