Jan 14, 2025 Story by: Publisher
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has joined a growing list of companies scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The decision follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in July 2023 that prohibited affirmative action in college admissions.
Like several other companies, Meta pointed to this ruling as a key factor in reassessing its DEI initiatives. Conservative activists have been pushing against workplace programs that prioritize historically marginalized groups, including diversity-focused hiring and gender identity and sexual orientation programs. These activists argue that programs based on race, gender, or sexual orientation are unfair and that everyone should be provided equal opportunities.
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s newly appointed global policy chief, explained the decision in an interview with Fox News Digital on Friday. He stated that the company’s move is intended to ensure that Meta hires the most talented individuals, focusing on individual merit rather than protected characteristics. “This is ultimately about doing what’s best for our company and ensuring that we are serving everyone and building teams with the most talented people,” Kaplan said. “This means evaluating people as individuals, and sourcing people from a range of candidate pools, but never making hiring decisions based on protected characteristics like race or gender.”
Several other companies have also retreated from their DEI programs:
McDonald’s
After launching a diversity initiative four years ago, McDonald’s announced on January 6 that it would end some of its diversity practices, including halting its senior leadership diversity goals and ending a supplier diversity training program. The company will also pause participation in external surveys, including the Human Rights Campaign’s annual workplace inclusion survey..
Walmart
In November, Walmart confirmed that it would not renew a five-year commitment to an equity racial center established in 2020 after George Floyd’s death. The retailer also stopped participating in the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index and will now focus on monitoring its third-party marketplace for items aimed at LGBTQ+ minors, such as chest binders for transgender youth. Additionally, Walmart will no longer consider race or gender in supplier contract decisions.
Ford
Ford CEO Jim Farley informed employees in August that the company was reevaluating its DEI policies. Ford will no longer participate in the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index but will continue efforts to create an inclusive workplace without using quotas or tying compensation to diversity goals. Farley emphasized that the company will focus on its customers, employees, and communities rather than commenting on divisive issues.
Lowe’s
Following the Supreme Court ruling, Lowe’s announced in August that it would review its DEI programs. The company plans to consolidate its employee resource groups into one organization and stop participating in the HRC index. Lowe’s also intends to discontinue its sponsorship of events outside its business scope, including festivals and parades.
John Deere
In July, John Deere announced it would cease sponsoring “social or cultural awareness” events and audit training materials to ensure they comply with federal and local laws. The company clarified that diversity quotas and pronoun identification are not part of its policy, although it will continue tracking and advancing diversity.
Tractor Supply
In June, Tractor Supply revealed that it would end its DEI roles and retire existing diversity goals. The company also stopped participating in non-business activities like Pride festivals and voting campaigns and will no longer submit data for the HRC index. Tractor Supply, which offers products for farming and pets, will focus on land and water conservation efforts instead of carbon emission goals. Following the announcement, the National Black Farmers Association called for the resignation of Tractor Supply’s president and CEO.
These shifts reflect a broader movement in corporate America as companies reconsider their DEI strategies in light of changing legal and social pressures. Source: AP News
