Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is among a rising number of businesses reducing their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.


This decision follows a July 2023 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that prohibited affirmative action in college admissions, a move that prompted conservative activists to target various companies, both in legal contexts and through social media.


These activists are pushing to curtail workplace practices that focus on diversity, particularly those that prioritize hiring individuals from historically marginalized groups, while also challenging initiatives aimed at addressing gender identity and sexual orientation.


DEI programs are generally viewed as necessary measures to counteract systemic discrimination. Critics of such policies argue that initiatives that categorize individuals based on race, gender, or sexual orientation are inherently unfair, advocating instead for equal opportunities for all.


Joel Kaplan, who has recently stepped into the role of global policy chief at Meta, explained that these changes are aimed at ensuring that the company focuses on hiring the most skilled individuals rather than making decisions based on protected characteristics.


“This is ultimately about doing what’s best for our company and ensuring that we are serving everyone and building teams with the most talented people,” Kaplan stated. “This means evaluating people as individuals, and sourcing from a wide range of candidate pools, but never making hiring decisions based on protected characteristics like race or gender.”


Other notable companies are also pulling back from DEI initiatives:


**McDonald’s**
After launching a diversity push four years ago, McDonald’s announced earlier this month that it would be discontinuing some diversity-focused practices, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action.


On January 6, McDonald’s declared it would be abandoning specific diversity targets within its senior leadership roles, and would halt a program encouraging its suppliers to enhance diversity training and representation within their leadership structures.


The company also revealed the suspension of external surveys without further details, although many other businesses have also paused participation in an annual assessment by the Human Rights Campaign that evaluates workplace inclusivity for LGBTQ+ employees.


**Walmart**
In November, Walmart confirmed it would not renew a five-year commitment to an equity racial center established in response to the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. The retailer also decided to stop engaging with the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.


Walmart committed to better monitoring its third-party marketplace to prevent the sale of items targeting LGBTQ+ minors. It further stated it would no longer use race and gender as criteria for enhancing diversity when offering contracts to suppliers, nor would it collect demographic data to assess eligibility for funding.


**Ford**
In August, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley communicated to employees about revisions to the company’s DEI policies, including the decision to withdraw from the HRC Corporate Equality Index.


Farley indicated that Ford had been reviewing its policies for a year, reaffirming the company’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive work environment without implementing hiring targets or linking compensation to specific diversity criteria.


“We will continue to focus our resources on serving our customers and communities rather than publicly addressing divisive contemporary issues,” the memo stated.


**Lowe’s**
In August, Lowe’s leadership announced a review of their programs in light of the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. They determined to consolidate their employee resource groups into a single organization, replacing previous individual groups for various diverse employee segments.


The retailer revealed it would also cease participation in the HRC index and withdraw sponsorship from events unrelated to its business activities.


**John Deere**
The agricultural equipment manufacturer declared in July that it would stop sponsoring events related to social or cultural awareness and would audit all training materials to comply with federal and local regulations, ensuring they do not promote social advocacy.


Based in Moline, Illinois, John Deere clarified that it does not have diversity quotas or pronoun policies but will continue to monitor and promote diversity within the company.


**Tractor Supply**
The retailer announced in June its decision to discontinue various corporate diversity and environmental efforts following significant online conservative backlash.


Tractor Supply revealed it would eliminate all DEI roles and set aside their existing diversity goals, as well as cease support for non-business-related initiatives like Pride festivals or voting drives, and would no longer provide data for the HRC index.


Located in Brentwood, Tennessee, where they offer a range of products, from farming supplies to pet goods, the company also decided to retract its carbon emission objectives, shifting focus towards land and water conservation initiatives.


Soon after the announcement, the National Black Farmers Association called for the resignation of Tractor Supply’s president and CEO.