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Meta and Amazon are discontinuing their diversity programmes, following a trend among corporate America companies to scale back hiring and training initiatives criticized by conservatives, citing legal and political risks.
This decision comes shortly after Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, announced it was ending a fact-checking program that was controversial among President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans.
In an internal memo regarding this move, affecting hiring, supplier relationships, and training efforts, Meta cited a “changing legal and policy landscape”.
Other companies, such as Walmart and McDonald’s, have made similar decisions about diversity efforts since Trump’s re-election.
In a memo to employees, first reported by Axios and confirmed by the BBC, Meta – the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – mentioned a Supreme Court ruling on race in college admissions and commented on the charged nature of the term “DEI” (diversity, equity and inclusion).
The tech giant stated its intention to continue seeking diverse staff but to discontinue its current strategy of selecting from a pool of diverse candidates.
In a December memo to employees, Amazon announced it was phasing out outdated programs and materials related to representation and inclusion, aiming to complete the process by the end of 2024.
Amazon’s VP of inclusive experiences and technology, Candi Castleberry, stated that they are focusing on programs with proven outcomes and aiming to cultivate a more universally inclusive culture. This information was first reported by Bloomberg.
Additionally, financial firms JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock have pulled out of groups focused on climate change risks this week.
These moves signify an acceleration of the retreat that began two years ago as Republicans intensified their criticism of companies like BlackRock and Disney, accusing them of engaging in “woke” progressive activities and threatening political consequences.
Well-known brands like Bud Light and Target have also faced backlash and boycotts for their efforts to appeal to LGBTQ customers.
Many of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were implemented following the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted in 2020 after George Floyd’s murder by the police.
Recent court decisions have supported critics of these programs, claiming they are discriminatory.
The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling struck down the right for private universities to consider race in admissions decisions.
Another court of appeals decision invalidated a Nasdaq policy requiring listed companies to have at least one woman, racial minority, or LGBTQ individual on their board or provide an explanation for not doing so.
Meta also announced the cessation of collaboration with “diverse” suppliers and a focus instead on small and medium-sized businesses.
They plan to discontinue offering “equity and inclusion” training and instead provide programs to “mitigate bias for all individuals, regardless of background”.
Meta has declined to comment on the memo, which was met with both criticism and celebration upon its release.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck expressed satisfaction with the news, taking credit for successfully campaigning against similar policies at companies like Ford, John Deere, and Harley-Davidson.
On the other hand, LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign emphasized that workplace inclusion policies are crucial for attracting and retaining top talent and are directly linked to long-term business growth.
RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, stated, “Those who abandon these commitments are neglecting their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.”
Meta’s decision comes shortly after the company announced the discontinuation of a fact-checking program criticized by Trump and Republicans and the promotion of conservatives to key leadership roles.
During an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted his concerns about being the arbiter of “truth” and feeling ill-prepared when the issue first became contentious after the 2016 election.
He mentioned facing unreasonable demands to remove content under the Biden administration, such as statements about vaccine side effects during the pandemic, leading to a broader political backlash.
Zuckerberg expressed a newfound understanding of what policies should be in place and advocated for the US government to support its companies rather than attack them.
He added, “When the US targets its tech industry, it opens the door for similar actions worldwide.”