Getty ImagesMeta and Amazon are merging their diversity programs, joining firms across the U.S. that are scaling back hiring and training programs criticized by lawmakers, citing legal and political risks.
The move comes days after Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said it was ending the fact-checking program criticized by President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans.
In a memo to employees about its decision, which affects hiring, supplier and training efforts, Meta cited “the changing legal and policy environment”.
Walmart and McDonalds are among other companies that have made similar decisions about diversity efforts since Donald Trump won re-election.
In its memo to staff, which was first reported by Axios and confirmed by the BBC, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp cited the decision of the Supreme Court on race in college admissions, while also noting that the word “DEI” (diversity, equality and inclusion) has been “charged”.
The tech giant has said it will continue to look for a diverse workforce, but has ended its current approach, which looks to choose from a diverse pool of people.
Amazon in a December memo to employees said it is “eliminating outdated programs and materials” related to representation and installation, aiming to end the process by the end of 2024.
“Instead of individual teams building programs, we focus on programs with proven results — and aim to foster an inclusive culture,” said Candi Castleberry, Amazon's VP of information and technology, in a paper that was first reported. with Bloomberg on Friday.
Financial firms JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock also left groups focused on climate change risks this week.
The measures are a sign of accelerating the reversal that began two years ago, as Republicans have stepped up their attacks on firms like BlackRock and Disneyaccusing them of “awakening” progress and threatening political punishment.
Major brands like Bud Light and Target have also faced backlash and boycotts related to their efforts to appeal to LGBTQ customers.
Many of the diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives were implemented after the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the police.
The recent decisions made by the courts have strengthened the critics of these programs who say they are discriminatory.
Supreme Court in 2023 he rejected the right of private universities to consider race in admissions decisions.
Another appeals court ruling struck down a Nasdaq policy that would have required companies listed on the stock exchange to have at least one woman, ethnic minority or LGBTQ person on their board or explain why not.
It also said it is ending its efforts to work with “various” suppliers but will focus on small and medium-sized companies.
It also plans to stop offering “equality and inclusion” training and instead offer programs that “reduce bias for all people, regardless of background”.
Meta declined to comment on the memo, news of which was immediately met with criticism and celebration.
“I'm sitting and enjoying every second of this,” said conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has credited himself with successfully campaigning for the policies at companies such as Ford, John Deere and Harley-Davidson.
LGBTQ advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign said inclusion policies help attract and retain top workers and are “directly tied to long-term business growth”.
“Those who shirk these obligations are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders,” RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, executive director of the HRC Foundation's Workplace Equality Program said.
Meta's move comes days after the tech giant said it was ending a fact-checking program criticized by Trump and Republicans and promoted conservatives to key leadership positions.
In a nearly three-hour interview with host Joe Rogan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he had always worried about being a “true” mediator and was “ill-prepared” when the issue first came to light after the 2016 election.
He said the demands for declassification became inappropriate under the Biden administration. For example, he said the company faced pressure during the violence to remove content such as statements about the negative effects of vaccinations.
That helped create political tensions, he said, including his own.
“I feel like I have a much greater command now of what I think the policies should be,” he said, adding that he felt the US government “should protect its companies … not be the subject of a spear attack”.
“When the US does that in its tech industry, it's really open season on the rest of the world,” he added.
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