(Adds Meta, Amazon, updates dateline)
Jan 10 (Reuters) -
Meta Platforms META.O and Amazon.com AMZN.O 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
JPM.N , 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
SBUX.O 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
TSCO.O (HRC), which advocates for LGBTQ rights.
Tractor Supply also said it would eliminate DEI
roles and retire its current DEI goals.
Deere DE.N 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 HOG.N would not participate in the HRC survey and had
ended its DEI initiatives.
Brown-Forman The Jack Daniel's maker said it would ensure
Bfb.N 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
LOW.N 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
F.N 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
TAP.N incentives to business performance and not
aspirational representation goals beginning
next year.
Boeing The planemaker has dismantled its global
BA.N 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
WMT.N 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.
META.O
The ecommerce giant was "winding down outdated
Amazon.com programs and materials" as part of a review of
AMZN.O 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)
((AnanyaMariam.Rajesh@thomsonreuters.com; X: https://twitter.com/AnanyaMariam))