US companies tweak diversity policies as challenges mount

(Adds Meta, Amazon, updates dateline) Jan 10 (Reuters) – Meta Platforms and Amazon.com have joined a growing number of U.S. companies in scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), meant to boost racial and ethnic representation at workplaces against the backdrop of rising pressure from conservative groups. At least six major U.S. companies, including JPMorgan Chase , modified their DEI policies last year, according to a Reuters review of corporate statements. Here is a list of companies that have either dropped the DEI program or made tweaks to some of the policies in 2024: Company Statement Starbucks In March, the coffee giant’s shareholders voted for an executive compensation plan that dropped a bonus related to DEI goals. Tractor The company in late June said that it would no Supply longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which advocates for LGBTQ rights. Tractor Supply also said it would eliminate DEI roles and retire its current DEI goals. Deere The company said in July it would not participate in or support external social or cultural awareness parades, festivals, or events. The farm equipment maker also reaffirmed that the existence of diversity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and are not company policy. Harley-David In August, the motorcycle manufacturer said it son would not participate in the HRC survey and had ended its DEI initiatives. Brown-Forman The Jack Daniel’s maker said it would ensure executive incentives and employee goals are tied to business performance, end participation in the HRC survey and scrap its quantitative workforce and supplier diversity goals. Lowe’s The home improvement chain will no longer participate in HRC surveys and will combine its various business resource groups that represent diverse employees into one umbrella organization. Lowe’s said in August it would not sponsor or participate in community events such as parades, festivals, or fairs. Ford Motor The automaker said it will change its DEI program, including ending participation in an LGBTQ advocacy group’s ranking system. Molson Coors The beer maker said it will end participation Beverage in the HRC index, and will tie executive incentives to business performance and not aspirational representation goals beginning next year. Boeing The planemaker has dismantled its global diversity, equity and inclusion department according to Bloomberg News. Boeing’s diversity vice president Sara Liang Bowen announced in October on LinkedIn that she had left the company. Walmart The retail bellwether will no longer consider race and gender to boost diversity when granting supplier contracts and is scaling back racial equity training. Walmart is also stopping participation in rankings by HRC and also reviewing its support for Pride and other events. The social media company ended its DEI Meta programs, including those for hiring, training Platforms and picking suppliers. The ecommerce giant was “winding down outdated Amazon.com programs and materials” as part of a review of hundreds of initiatives, according to a memo sent to employees in December. (Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh and Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Tasim Zahid)