Meta and Amazon scale back DEI Programs

By Tristan, Contributor

Meta and Amazon have recently announced significant changes to their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, scaling them back amidst a changing legal and political landscape in the U.S. Here's the latest:
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• Meta has decided to end its major DEI programs, effective immediately, which includes changes in hiring, training, and supplier selection processes. The company cited a shifting legal and policy environment surrounding DEI efforts. Meta will no longer have a dedicated team focused on DEI, with Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams transitioning to a role centered on accessibility and engagement. This move follows other recent actions by Meta to align more closely with conservative politics, such as scrapping U.S. fact-checking programs and elevating conservative figures in leadership roles.

 

• Amazon has also announced it is "winding down outdated programs and materials" related to representation and inclusion, with plans to complete this process by the end of 2024. The company aims to focus on programs with proven outcomes and foster a more inclusive culture without individual group-specific initiatives. This decision was communicated to employees in a memo from Candi Castleberry, Amazon's VP of inclusive experiences and technology. Amazon's move is part of a broader trend among major corporations to reassess DEI commitments in light of recent Supreme Court decisions and conservative backlash against such programs.

These actions from both companies come at a time when there's growing conservative opposition to DEI initiatives, particularly following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions. The changes at Meta and Amazon are seen as an attempt to navigate this new landscape, potentially to gain favor with the incoming Trump administration or to mitigate legal risks.

This shift has been met with mixed reactions, with some celebrating the rollback as a return to merit-based hiring, while others criticize it as a step back from commitments to diversity and inclusion in corporate America. The overall trend suggests a broader corporate retreat from DEI initiatives, influenced by both legal changes and political climate.