PepsiCo has significantly rolled back its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, eliminating its role of Chief DEI officer and ending representation goals in hiring. The move comes as a number of companies, including Target and John Deere, have distanced themselves from DEI amid a nationwide backlash.
In an employee letter, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta stated that the company will be transitioning its Chief DEI Officer into a broader role and that “Inclusion is the responsibility of all leaders at PepsiCo.” The move also includes sunsetting “aspirational representational goals” in hiring and centralizing “employee resource groups (ERGs)”.
The decision has raised concerns among some, who claim PepsiCo is not committed to turning away from DEI. Paul Chesser, director of the Corporate Integrity Project for the National Legal and Policy Center, said that the soda-maker’s moves are just “optics”. Despite this, PepsiCo claims that it will continue to provide opportunities for employees to grow and contribute based on their talent and performance.
The move follows a nationwide trend, with President Donald Trump signing executive orders combatting DEI in the federal government. Other companies have also faced criticism for their stance on DEI policies.
Source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/pepsi-drops-dei-chief-representation-goals-not-everyone-convinced