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Major U.S. companies, including Target, Meta, and Amazon, are scaling back DEI initiatives, citing the 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action ruling and pressure from conservative activists targeting diversity programs.
Major companies have scaled back or set aside the DEI initiatives (AP Photo)
UPDATED: Jan 25, 2025 00:46 IST
A growing number of prominent U.S. companies are scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions. Conservative activists have targeted workplace DEI programs, including corporate sponsorships, affinity groups, and hiring practices aimed at historically marginalized groups. Critics of DEI argue these programs are unfair, advocating for equal opportunities regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Key companies making changes include:
Target:
Target is ending its "Belonging at the Bullseye" strategy, which supported Black employees, shoppers, and businesses, and halting its DEI goals, such as hiring more women and minorities and diversifying suppliers. The company will also stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) index and reassess partnerships.
Meta Platforms:
Meta has dismantled its DEI team, ending programs that promoted diverse hiring and inclusion. The company cited the Supreme Court ruling as a factor and emphasized focusing on fair hiring practices without considering protected characteristics.
Amazon:
Amazon announced it is winding down outdated DEI programs and shifting to initiatives with proven outcomes. The company will emphasize fostering an inclusive culture without detailing specific changes.
McDonald’s:
McDonald’s has retired diversity goals for senior leadership and paused external surveys, including the HRC index. It also ended supplier diversity initiatives but affirmed its commitment to workplace inclusion.
Walmart:
Walmart is discontinuing its equity racial center, pausing its participation in the HRC index, and removing race and gender as factors for supplier diversity and financing eligibility.
Other Companies:
Lowe’s has consolidated employee resource groups, while Harley-Davidson, John Deere, and Tractor Supply have ended sponsorships and diversity quotas. Brown-Forman and Ford have also pulled back on diversity initiatives, focusing on business-related goals instead.
Published By:
indiatodayglobal
Published On:
Jan 25, 2025
