Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is axing its diversity programmes, joining firms across corporate America that are rolling back initiatives criticised by conservatives, citing legal and political risks.
The move comes just days after the tech giant, owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said it was ending a fact-checking programme criticised by President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans and elevated conservatives to key leadership positions.
In a memo to staff about the decision, which affects, hiring, supplier and training efforts, the company cited a “shifting legal and policy landscape”.
Walmart and McDonalds are among the other companies to have made similar decisions regarding diversity efforts since Donald Trump won re-election.
In its memo to staff, which was first reported by Axios and confirmed by the BBC, Meta cited the Supreme Court ruling, while also noting that the term “DEI” had become “charged”.
It said it would continue to look for diverse staff, but end its current approach, which looks to make selections from a pool of diverse candidates.
Major banks and investment groups, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and BlackRock, have also pulled out of groups focused on risks from climate change.
The moves have accelerated a retreat that started two years ago, as Republicans ramped up attacks on firms such as BlackRock and Disney, accusing them of “woke” progressive activism and threatening political punishment.
Big brands such as Bud Light and Target also faced backlash and boycotts related to their efforts to appeal to LGBTQ customers.
Many of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known as DEI, were put in place after the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted in 2020 after George Floyd’s murder at the hands of police.
Recent court decisions have bolstered critics of the programmes, who said that they were discriminatory.
The Supreme Court in 2023 struck down the right for private universities to consider race in admissions decisions.
Another court of appeals ruling invalidated a Nasdaq policy that would have required companies listed on that stock exchange to have at least one woman, racial minority or LGBTQ person on their board or explain why not.
It said it was also ending its efforts to work with suppliers who are “diverse” but will instead focus on small and medium-sized companies.
It also plans to stop offering “equity and inclusion” training and instead offer programmes that “mitigate bias for all, no matter your background”.
Meta declined to comment on the memo, news of which was immediately met with both criticism and celebration.
“I’m sitting back and enjoying every second of this,” said conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has taken credit for successfully campaigning against the policies at companies such as Ford, John Deere and Harley-Davidson.
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