Last Updated:
Amazon and Meta have dialled back their DEI programmes ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the office this month. Mark Zuckerberg has also ordered the removal of tampons from men’s bathrooms.
Mark Zuckerberg (AP Image)
Ahead of Donald Trump’s return as the US President, Amazon.com is scaling back its diversity programmes amid rising conservative criticism of such initiatives.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also made sweeping changes to the company policies lately, including shutting down DEI programmes and orders to remove tampons from men’s bathrooms.
According to The New York Times report, facilities managers across Meta’s Silicon Valley, Texas and New York offices were ordered to get rid of tampons and sanitary pads that were provided for non-binary and transgender employees.
Changes In Amazon
Several major companies in the United States have been slashing their diversity efforts, despite initially backing more inclusive policies after the protests in 2020 over the police killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans.
In a memo to employees on Friday, Amazon announced plans to phase out “outdated programmes and materials” related to diversity and inclusion, as the process was expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
This move comes as conservative groups, bolstered by a 2023 US Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in university admissions, have criticised such programmes and threatened legal action against companies maintaining them.
This week, Elon Musk and other Donald Trump allies blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes for slowing the response to wildfires in Los Angeles. Notably, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.
Janelle Gale, Meta’s vice president of human resources, acknowledged in a memo that “the legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing.”
Gale cited recent Supreme Court decisions “signalling a shift” in how the US courts will approach DEI programmes going forward.
Meta Shuts Down Its DEI Programme
Meta is also shutting down its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, including those related to hiring, training, and supplier selection, according to an internal memo shared with employees on Friday. The company will no longer have a dedicated DEI team, marking another move welcomed by conservatives.
In recent weeks, Meta has taken several notable steps, including ending its US fact-checking programme, appointing prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as chief global affairs officer, and adding Dana White, CEO of UFC and a close Trump ally, to its board.
What Is DEI Programme?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes are facing growing criticism in boardrooms, state legislatures, and college campuses across the US. These programmes aim to foster a more inclusive and fair society:
- Diversity involves recognizing and valuing the unique differences individuals bring, such as race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, and other social identities.
- Equity focuses on treating people fairly and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone.
- Inclusion is about creating an environment where all voices are respected, and individuals from diverse backgrounds feel empowered to share their ideas and perspectives.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
