Public momentum has turned against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in recent years.
Both Amazon and Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, are paring down their diversity programs, following similar decisions made by a number of corporations in recent months.
Meta is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including those for hiring, training, and choosing suppliers, it stated in an internal memo to employees on Jan. 10. Amazon stated it is “winding down outdated programs and materials,” according to a memo that was circulated to employees.
The moves come amid growing public backlash against DEI in recent years, including a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July 2023 that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
What Is DEI?
DEI policies are part of an organizational framework that its proponents say reduces discrimination on the basis of identity or disability or provides more representation to groups that some say have been subject to discrimination for their identities or disabilities.
However, a study published in 2024 found that DEI training and policies actually increase prejudice in an organization, particularly against white people.
“A growing number of high-profile cases suggest that diversity workshops and their supporting materials regularly promote questionable claims—particularly about the overarching, malicious character of the majority population,” Canadian professor David Haskell said in a study for the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy. “Similarly, hostility toward those who challenge DEI claims is part of the pattern.”
DEI policies, which were rolled out rapidly across industries and the government after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, have come under fire in recent years, particularly from Republicans. Vice President-elect JD Vance wrote in June that “DEI is racism, plain and simple.”
“It’s time to outlaw it nationwide, starting with the federal government,” he said.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s announced on Jan. 6 that it is ending several DEI initiatives, according to a news release.
“We are retiring setting aspirational representation goals and instead keeping our focus on continuing to embed inclusion practices that grow our business into our everyday process and operations,” McDonald’s said in a statement, adding that it will retire a “Supply Chain’s Mutual Commitment to DEI pledge” in exchange for a “more integrated discussion” on the subject.
The company also stated it will change how it refers to its “diversity team,” which will now be named the “Global Inclusion Team.”
Walmart
In November 2024, Walmart said in a statement that it would end some of its DEI programs, including not renewing a five-year commitment for a DEI racial center set up in 2020 in the wake of a string of Black Lives Matter protests and riots over the police custody death of a man in Minnesota. The retail giant also stated that it was pulling out of a pro-LGBT index and that it will not be giving priority treatment to some suppliers.
“We’ve been on a journey and know we aren’t perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone,” the company said in a statement.
Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist who has pushed for companies to abandon their DEI programs, celebrated the move.
“This is the biggest win yet for our movement to end wokeness in corporate America,” Starbuck wrote on social media platform X at the time, adding that he had been speaking with Walmart.
John Deere
In July 2024, meanwhile, tractor and farm equipment manufacturer John Deere released a list of policy changes on social media, saying, “We revised our corporate guidelines to solely focus on sponsorships supporting the business and brand.”
The company’s statement said it would start an audit of all training materials “to ensure the absence of socially-motivated messages, while being in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.”
“The existence of diversity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and are not company policy,“ it stated, adding that it will ”continue to advance and track the diversity of” its organization.
Tractor Supply Co.
Weeks before John Deere’s move, Tractor Supply Co. said in a statement that it would eliminate DEI roles and retire its current DEI goals “while still ensuring a respectful environment” and would also withdraw its carbon emission goals and focus on its land and water conservation efforts.
The company stated it would also no longer provide data to the Human Rights Campaign, a pro-LGBT organization, and would instead “focus on rural America priorities including ag education, animal welfare, veteran causes and being a good neighbor and stop sponsoring nonbusiness activities like pride festivals and voting campaigns.”
“We work hard to live up to our Mission and Values every day and represent the values of the communities and customers we serve,” the statement reads. “We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.”
Harley-Davidson
Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson wrote on X in August 2024 that it, too, would put an end to its DEI efforts.
“We have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today,” the company stated.
It said that the company would not participate in the Human Rights Campaign and would make sure that “socially motivated content” isn’t available in training materials. Employee resources organizations in the company would only focus on professional development and workplace-related topics, the statement added.
“We see it as every leader’s role to ensure we have an employee base that reflects our customers and the geographies in which we operate,” Harley-Davidson stated.
Lowe’s
Hardware retailer Lowe’s also changed some of its DEI policies in August 2024 after a review of policies following the 2023 Supreme Court decision.
Some changes include halting involvement in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign regarding LGBT employees and ceasing to sponsor or participate in events, such as festivals and parades, that are outside of its business focus.
“We may make additional changes over time,” the company’s leadership team stated in a memo. “What will not change, though, is our commitment to our people.”
Some Resistance
Some have been urging companies to stick with their DEI policies.
For example, Costco’s board of directors encouraged shareholders to vote to support its DEI program after it received a proposal to reject the practice, according to a memo released last month.
“Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the ‘treasure hunt’ that our customers value,” Costco said in its proxy statement to investors. “We believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.”
The National Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank, had called on Costco’s shareholders and board to strike down DEI because it promoted discriminatory practices. Meanwhile, a group of Democrats in Congress appealed to the leaders of the Fortune 1000, saying that DEI efforts give everyone a fair chance at achieving the American dream.
Apple’s board also responded to a proposal from the National Center for Public Policy by urging shareholders to keep its DEI mandates intact.
“Apple is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, or promoting on any basis protected by law,” the iPhone maker stated in a filing last week.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.