Meta and Amazon are scaling back their diversity initiatives, aligning with other companies across corporate America retreating from hiring and training programs criticized by conservatives due to legal and political risks.
These decisions follow Meta Platforms’ announcement that it would discontinue a fact-checking program criticized by President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans.
In a memo to employees, Meta also stated it was ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs due to a “shifting legal and policy landscape.”
Similar actions have been taken by Walmart and McDonald’s since Trump’s re-election.
Meta’s internal memo cited a Supreme Court ruling on race in college admissions and noted that “DEI” had become a “charged” term.
The company stated it would continue seeking diverse candidates but would no longer use its existing selection process, which prioritizes diverse candidate pools.
Amazon also announced adjustments to its diversity efforts. The company emphasized its continued commitment to “delivering inclusive experiences” while focusing on programs with “proven outcomes.”
In a December memo to staff, Candi Castleberry, Amazon’s VP of Inclusive Experiences and Technology, explained the company was phasing out outdated programs and expected to complete the process by the end of 2024. The changes include consolidating employee groups under one framework.
This trend is not confined to the tech industry. Financial firms like JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock also announced their withdrawal from climate risk-focused groups this week, reflecting a broader shift influenced by Republican criticisms.
The retreat from diversity programs has gained momentum over the past two years as companies like BlackRock and Disney faced accusations of “woke” activism and threats of political consequences from conservatives. Brands such as Bud Light and Target also encountered backlash and boycotts tied to their LGBTQ-focused efforts.
Most of these DEI programs emerged after the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, which followed George Floyd’s murder by police.
However, critics of such initiatives, bolstered by recent court rulings, argue that these programs are discriminatory.
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against race-conscious admissions policies at private universities.
Additionally, a court of appeals invalidated a Nasdaq policy requiring companies listed on the exchange to include at least one woman, racial minority, or LGBTQ person on their board or provide an explanation.
Meta also announced it would discontinue its efforts to work with “diverse” suppliers, opting instead to focus on small and medium-sized businesses.
The company plans to replace “equity and inclusion” training with programs designed to “mitigate bias for all, no matter your background.”
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck expressed satisfaction, saying, “I’m sitting back and enjoying every second of this,” while LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign emphasized the importance of workplace inclusion for attracting top talent and driving long-term business growth.
“Those who abandon these commitments are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders,” said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program.
Meta’s decision comes shortly after it announced the end of its fact-checking program and the elevation of conservatives to key leadership positions.
In a nearly three-hour interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his apprehensions about being the arbiter of “truth.” He admitted the company was “ill-prepared” to handle such issues following the 2016 election and faced increasing demands, particularly during the Biden administration.
Zuckerberg cited pressure to remove content during the pandemic, such as statements about vaccine side effects, as a factor that contributed to the political backlash against the company, including from himself.
He expressed a clearer understanding of how policies should be shaped and criticized the U.S. government for its stance toward tech companies.
“When the U.S. does that to its tech industry, it’s basically just open season around the rest of the world,” Zuckerberg remarked.