The Meta logo is seen at a Vivatech show in Paris, France, on June 14, 2023. Meta Platforms is ending its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including those for hiring, training and picking suppliers, it said in a memo to employees posted on an internal company forum on Friday. (Thibault Camus/The Associated Press)
Meta Platforms has announced that it will be discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, including those focused on hiring, training, and selecting suppliers. This decision was revealed in a memo to employees shared on an internal company forum on Friday.
The move comes ahead of the inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, as the company seeks to improve its relationship with the incoming leader, who has criticized Meta’s political content policies and even suggested legal repercussions for its CEO.
Janelle Gale, Meta's vice president of human resources, explained in the memo that the shifting legal and policy landscape around DEI efforts in the U.S. prompted the change. She noted that recent Supreme Court rulings indicated a shift in how U.S. courts will view DEI programs in the future.
"The term 'DEI' has also become controversial, as it is sometimes interpreted as a practice that favors certain groups over others," Gale wrote.
Despite ending its formal DEI initiatives, Meta will continue to seek candidates from diverse backgrounds, although it will no longer use the “diverse slate” approach. Furthermore, the company will dissolve its dedicated DEI team. As part of this restructuring, Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will transition to a new position focusing on accessibility and engagement.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions among employees, with one remarking that it was “upsetting to read.”
This shift in policy follows a series of recent developments at Meta, including the appointment of three new directors to its board, among them Dana White, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close ally of Trump. Additionally, Meta appointed prominent Republican Joel Kaplan as its new chief global affairs officer, replacing Nick Clegg.
