Diversity, inclusion, and belonging at GitHub in 2021

A year of growth, measured against equity goals

GitHub’s headcount doubled over the last two years, with more than 760 new hires in 2021 alone. Despite that rapid scaling, the company reports that its diversity representation grew at an even faster rate than its overall population—a sign that its focus on equitable hiring is translating into measurable change.

The company acknowledges that progress remains uneven, particularly at senior levels of the technology industry. In response, it has introduced development programs designed to intentionally advance the careers of employees from underrepresented groups, rather than leaving advancement to chance.

Belonging beyond representation

Diversity statistics are only the starting point; without a sense of inclusion, those numbers don’t translate into a supportive workplace. GitHub added two new communities of belonging (its term for employee resource groups) this year: one focused on neurodiversity at work and another amplifying the voices of indigenous people globally, backed by a network of allies.

Hubber engagement with these efforts has been strong. Participation in the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging learning journey reached 97% of employees. The company also ran learning circles co-created with Hubbers to discuss sensitive topics in a safe space, covering issues like challenges facing the transgender community and navigating the complexities of a multilingual workplace. A separate learning track for leaders was designed to help them reinforce inclusive practices within their teams.

Responding to a difficult year

The year’s challenges went beyond the pandemic, extending to natural disasters and societal violence. GitHub credits its employees with responding by giving, volunteering, and advocating for those in need. The company highlights the collective effort of staff from all backgrounds and roles to share privilege and support one another during these events.

The full details of the company’s 2021 demographic data and its inclusion initiatives are outlined in its annual report.