In 2024, we saw a huge shift in how companies approached diversity, with many throwing out or radically changing diversity, equity, inclusion programs. Companies like John Deere, Walmart, and Tractor Supply Co. all made massive changes to their DEI programs in response to pressure from conservative groups led by Robby Starbuck. Today, McDonald’s announced that they, too, will cease some DEI practices, such as “requiring its suppliers to commit to certain DEI targets.”
A different conservative group, the National Center for Public Policy Research, has pushed Costco to abandon its DEI principles, arguing that the legal risk of such programs is too high (in 2023, Starbucks lost a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a White manager) and citing the number of major corporations who are rolling back DEI initiatives.
But at the start of this year, Costco’s board of directors said no and urged shareholders to vote against the rollback of its DEI programs.
to keep reading, click here: 2024 Tried to Kill DEI. Could Costco Launch a Revival in 2025?