U.S. retailers publicly scrap some ‘DEI’ initiatives while quietly supporting others
Several U.S. retailers that publicly scrapped diversity, equity and inclusion programs — including Target, Amazon and Tractor Supply — are maintaining certain efforts behind the scenes.
Several U.S. retailers that publicly scrapped diversity, equity and inclusion programs — including Target, Amazon and Tractor Supply — are maintaining certain efforts behind the scenes.
The three retailers, while they’ve ended DEI programs on paper, have told advocacy groups and individuals they will continue to offer financial support for some LGBTQ+ Pride and racial justice events, as well as provide internal support for resource groups for underrepresented employees.
These contradictions between public remarks to investors and those made to individuals or small groups illustrate the tightrope they’ve walked since U.S. President Donald Trump deemed some elements of DEI illegal and threatened possible investigations into firms that practice it. Advocates say DEI programs aren’t exclusionary policies, but are needed to redress longstanding bias, inequity and discrimination, while detractors counter people should be hired solely on merit without taking into consideration gender or race.
Companies are “trying to thread the needle — stay true to corporate values, satisfy various stakeholders, but reduce legal risk,” said Jason C. Schwartz, an employment law partner at Gibson Dunn who advises corporate clients on their DEI policies.
Reuters conducted more than a dozen interviews with company employees, advocates for underrepresented groups who’ve met with corporate executives, and consultants advising companies on DEI issues for this story. The developments they described haven’t been previously reported.
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