Several major U.S. companies, including Meta, Amazon, and Walmart, are retracting their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action. This shift represents a response to legal and social pressures to reassess corporate DEI practices, often citing a need to focus on merit-based strategies rather than group-based initiatives. Companies are navigating a complex landscape of diversity expectations amidst growing conservative scrutiny.
Several prominent companies in the United States have recently reduced or abandoned their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that were widely accepted by corporate America following the social justice movements after George Floyd’s death in 2020. This shift has been influenced by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action, empowering conservative activists to challenge DEI programs through legal and social media avenues, claiming these initiatives unfairly prioritize certain groups based on race and gender.
Meta Platforms has discontinued its DEI program that covered hiring, training, and vendor selection practices, citing a change in the judicial landscape following the Supreme Court’s July 2023 ruling. An internal memo indicated that the company would eliminate its diverse hiring strategy to focus on making personnel decisions based solely on talent.
Amazon has also decided to halt certain DEI programs but did not specify which ones. Senior Human Resources executive Candi Castleberry noted that the company is working on winding down outdated initiatives and aims to implement programs that demonstrate proven outcomes while promoting an inclusive culture throughout the organization.
McDonald’s announced in January 2024 the retirement of specific diversity objectives, including supplier training programs aimed at increasing minority representation. The company indicated a commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce despite rolling back on some of its DEI practices after the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling.
Walmart confirmed it would not renew a five-year commitment to an equity racial center established in response to George Floyd’s death, nor participate in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. The retailer also stated it would stop considering race and gender when offering supplier contracts and would not collect demographic data for financing eligibility.
Ford’s Chief Executive Officer, Jim Farley, communicated changes to DEI policies in August, including halting participation in the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. Although Ford does not utilize hiring quotas or tie compensation to diversity goals, the company remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment.
Lowe’s has begun reviewing its DEI initiatives following the Supreme Court’s ruling, merging individual employee resource groups into a single organization. The company has ceased participation in the HRC index and is no longer sponsoring events outside its core business activities.
Harley-Davidson recently indicated it would review all its affiliations and sponsorships, intending to focus on business-related initiatives rather than social causes. The motorcycle manufacturer also announced it would stop participating in the HRC workplace equality ranking and would remove any hiring quotas and supplier diversity goals.
Brown-Forman, the parent company of Jack Daniels, has stepped back from the HRC Corporate Equality Index and reviewed its workplace diversity strategy. Leaders stated that the shifting legal landscape necessitated changes in their DEI objectives, although they remain committed to fostering an inclusive work environment.
John Deere announced it would no longer sponsor events geared toward social or cultural awareness and review training materials for compliance with federal laws. Although they report that diversity quotas are not part of their policy, the company aims to continue advancing diversity within its workforce.
In June, Tractor Supply declared it would discontinue several corporate diversity initiatives following conservative backlash, eliminating DEI roles and ceasing sponsorship of non-business activities such as Pride festivals. The company also intends to withdraw from its carbon emission goals, redirecting focus to environmental conservation efforts.
In summary, numerous U.S. companies are scaling back or eliminating their diversity initiatives due to a combination of legal challenges, shifts in corporate strategy, and new priorities. Prominent firms like Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, and Walmart are notable examples of this trend, citing the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against affirmative action as a catalyst for revisioning their DEI strategies. While some companies claim a commitment to inclusion, their actions suggest a significant retreat from previous diversity objectives.
Original Source: apnews.com
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