McDonald’s, one of the largest US corporations, is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices following a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action. The company announced it will sunset specific DEI goals, stop participating in external surveys on corporate diversity, and change the name of its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team.
However, McDonald’s maintains that it has not abandoned its commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce. Instead, the company plans to support practices that foster inclusion in the workplace and across operations. It will continue to discuss DEI practices with suppliers and vendors, and report on company demographics annually.
The decision comes amid pressure from online opponents, legal threats, and customer opposition, which has led other companies, including Walmart, Ford, and Harley-Davidson, to reevaluate their diversity initiatives. Some observers argue that many high-profile corporate moves on DEI aren’t as significant a change as they seem.
McDonald’s previously reported growth in leadership, supplier, and franchisee diversity, with 30% of its US leaders from underrepresented groups and 78% of employees scoring positively in the company’s employee pulse survey. The company aims to allocate 25% of supply-chain spending to diverse-owned suppliers by the end of 2025.
Other companies, such as Costco, have resisted similar pressure, citing the benefits of their DEI policies. McDonald’s decision is part of a broader trend of reevaluation and adaptation in the face of changing regulatory landscapes and public opinion.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/06/business/mcdonalds-dei/index.html