Meta and Amazon are making notable cuts to their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, a shift just days before Donald Trump’s inauguration. These changes, part of a rethinking of DEI efforts, have sparked conversations about corporate priorities and workplace diversity.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Meta Cuts DEI Programs
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is scaling back its DEI initiatives. The company has decided to dissolve its dedicated DEI team, with Maxine Williams, its chief diversity officer, transitioning to a new role centered around “accessibility and engagement.” The new positioning also includes discontinuing Meta’s “Diverse Slate Approach,” which requires managers to consider candidates from underrepresented backgrounds during hiring. Instead of prioritizing diverse-owned businesses, Meta will focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
The company cited the 2023 Supreme Court decision to strike down affirmative action at universities as part of its reasoning. The ruling, which impacted diversity-based policies, has created a more complex legal landscape for DEI initiatives in the corporate world. Meta’s memo mentioned that the term “DEI” has become “charged,” with some viewing it as giving preferential treatment to specific groups.
Amazon Follows Suit with DEI Rollbacks
Amazon is also winding down its DEI efforts. The company plans to phase out some of its diversity programs and materials. Instead of maintaining separate initiatives for individual employee groups, Amazon is now focusing on programs with “proven outcomes” to foster a more inclusive workplace culture. The changes will be implemented by the end of 2025. However, the company has not specified which programs will be cut or modified.
Candi Castleberry, Amazon’s VP of global DEI, stated that the company is working to unify employee groups and build more inclusive programs. The consolidation mirrors trends in corporate America, where companies reevaluate their DEI strategies in response to public scrutiny and changing political climates.
Shifting Corporate America
The cuts to DEI programs at Meta and Amazon come amid increasing pressure from political leaders and stakeholders, including Trump’s inaugural team. Trump has been vocal about dismantling “divisive, unchecked DEI” practices, with his squad praising companies like Walmart for rolling back similar initiatives. In contrast, Apple is pushing back against proposals to remove its DEI programs, reinforcing its stance on inclusivity.
All four tech companies— Meta, Amazon, Apple, and Google — have pledged $1 million to support Trump’s inaugural fund, aligning with the incoming administration’s stance on DEI. This move suggests that political winds may influence corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
TF Summary: What’s Next
The decision by Meta and Amazon to cut back on their DEI programs is a marked change in corporate approach to diversity. As the U.S. presidential administration changes, these companies are adapting their strategies to focus on a more expansive definition of inclusivity. While some companies are rolling back their efforts, others, like Apple, are doubling down on their diversity initiatives. The conversation around DEI in corporate America continues as these changes are enacted. Future policies will mirror societal and political dogmas. Monitor how other tech giants follow suit in the coming months.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech