Meta scraps DEI initiatives amid broader corporate retreat from diversity policies

• Meta is dismantling its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including diversity-focused hiring practices and programs for underrepresented groups.
• The changes are driven by shifting legal and political landscapes, particularly the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which ruled that race-based affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional.
• Meta’s decision reflects a broader corporate retreat from DEI programs, with other companies like Walmart and McDonald’s also revising or rolling back their DEI policies.
• The move has raised questions about corporate social responsibility and the tension between legal compliance and fostering an inclusive workplace.
• While DEI programs have been widely adopted in recent years, they face growing criticism from conservative lawmakers and activists, as well as pressure from employees and consumers to take a stand on social issues.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is dismantling its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, marking a significant shift in its corporate policies. The changes, effective immediately, include ending diversity-focused hiring practices, scaling back development programs for underrepresented groups and revising procurement policies that previously prioritized vendors based on racial or gender criteria.

The decision, confirmed by a Meta spokesperson and outlined in an internal memo obtained by Axios, reflects a broader corporate retreat from DEI programs across the United States, driven by shifting legal and political landscapes.

In the memo posted on Meta’s Workplace platform, Janelle Gale, the company’s vice president of human resources, announced the sweeping changes to Meta’s DEI practices.

“The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” Gale wrote. She noted that the term “DEI” has become “charged,” with some interpreting it as promoting preferential treatment for certain groups over others.

Meta’s decision includes dissolving its DEI team and ending programs designed to promote equity and inclusion. The company will instead focus on “fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all, no matter your background,” according to the memo. Additionally, Meta will no longer use its “Diverse Slate Approach” to hiring, which ensures a diverse pool of candidates for every open position. Gale emphasized that representation goals, which the company previously ended for women and ethnic minorities, “can create the impression that decisions are being made based on race or gender.”

Meta’s policy shift follows the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which ruled that race-based affirmative action in college admissions violates the Constitution. The decision has had a ripple effect, prompting attorneys general from over a dozen states to warn corporations about the “illegality of racial quotas and race-based preferences” in hiring and contracting.

“The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made decisions signaling a shift in how courts will approach DEI,” Gale wrote. This legal uncertainty has led other major companies, including Walmart, McDonald’s and Caterpillar, to revise or roll back their DEI policies in recent months.

Critics of DEI programs argue that they impose ideological conformity and amount to discrimination. Supporters, however, view these rollbacks as a threat to principles of equity and inclusivity. The Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has criticized the trend, warning that it could harm companies’ ability to attract diverse talent and succeed in an increasingly globalized economy.

A broader cultural shift

Meta’s decision to scrap its DEI programs is part of a broader cultural and political shift within the tech industry and corporate America. The company has recently made several high-profile changes, including ending its fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg described as “too politically biased.” In its place, Meta will implement a community notes system similar to the one used by Elon Musk’s platform X.

Meta has also expanded its board of directors to include figures like Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White and Ferrari Executive Chairman John Elkann, signaling a desire to diversify its leadership with individuals from a range of industries. However, the company’s retreat from DEI initiatives has raised questions about its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Meta’s move reflects a growing tension between corporate social responsibility and legal compliance in a polarized political environment. While DEI programs have been widely adopted in recent years, 60 percent of U.S. companies had such initiatives in 2022, according to a Harvard Business Review survey. They are increasingly under fire from conservative lawmakers and activists. (Related: Vindication for independent media: Zuckerberg admits fact-checkers were politically biased, embraces free speech.)

At the same time, companies face pressure from employees and consumers who expect them to take a stand on social issues. Meta’s decision to dismantle its DEI programs highlights the challenges of balancing these competing demands. As Gale wrote in the memo, “We continue to be focused on serving everyone and building a multi-talented, industry-leading workforce from all walks of life.”

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Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

Axios.com

TheEpochTimes.com 2

Brighteon.com