The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday, Jan. 7, edition that four years after launching a push for more diversity in its ranks, McDonald's is ending some of its diversity practices, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.
An Associated Press dispatch to The Globe reports that McDonald's is the latest big company to shift its tactics in the wake of the 2023 ruling and a conservative backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Walmart, John Deere, Harley-Davidson and others rolled back their DEI initiatives last year.
McDonald's said Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. It also intends to end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minorities in their own leadership ranks.
McDonald's said it will also pause "external surveys." Several other companies suspended their participation in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ employees. McDonald's said Monday the "shifting legal landscape" and the actions of other corporations caused it to take a hard look at its own policies.
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