NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, joins a growing list of major companies to take similar action after coming under attack from conservative activists, announcing policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. is being withdrawn.
The changes, confirmed by Walmart on Monday, are far-reaching and include withdrawing from prominent organizations as the Center for Racial Equality will not renew a five-year commitment established in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. It includes everything from. gay rights index. And when it comes to race and gender, Walmart doesn’t give suppliers preferential treatment.
Walmart’s move highlights the increasing pressures facing American businesses as they continue to weather the effects of the recession. US Supreme Court decision Affirmative action in university admissions will end in June 2023. Encouraged by that decision, Conservative groups filed suit Have similar discussions about companies and targets. Initiatives at the workplace such as diversity programs and hiring practices that prioritize historically marginalized groups.
Separately, conservative political commentator and activist Robbie Starbuck has been pursuing corporate DEI policies and criticizing individual companies on social media platform X. Several of these companies have since announced that they are withdrawing their efforts. fordHarley-Davidson, lowe’s and tractor supply.
But Walmart is the largest company in the U.S., employing 1.6 million workers.
“This is the biggest victory yet for our movement to end corporate America’s wokeness,” Starbuck wrote in X, adding that he is in talks with Walmart.
Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor third-party marketplace products to ensure they don’t include sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. This includes chest binders for young people experiencing gender transition, the company said.
The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer will also consider grants to Pride events to ensure they are not financially supporting sexual content that may be unsuitable for children. . For example, the company said it wants to make sure family pavilions aren’t placed next to drag shows at Pride events.
Additionally, Walmart no longer considers race and gender as a litmus test for improving diversity when offering supplier contracts. The company stated that it does not have quotas and has no plans to set any quotas in the future. No demographic data is collected when determining loan eligibility for these grants.
Walmart also has a racial equity initiative established through a five-year, $100 million philanthropic commitment from the company with a mission to “address the root causes of the achievement gap experienced by Black Americans,” according to the company’s website. He also said the center would not be updated. and African American people in education, health care, finance, and the criminal justice system. ”
The company will also stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Benchmark Index, which measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees.
“We’re on a journey and we know we’re not perfect, but every decision we make fosters a sense of belonging and opens doors of opportunity for every employee, customer and supplier, and we strive to help Walmart “It comes from the idea that we want to be for everyone,” the company said in a statement.
The change comes amid conservatives with similar views, including former adviser Stephen Miller, who heads a group called America First Legal, which has criticized DEI efforts and challenged corporate DEI policies. This happened shortly after former President Donald Trump won the election. . playing cards Miller appointed as deputy policy director In his new administration.
A Walmart spokesperson said some of the policy changes have been in the works for some time. For example, we have stopped using the term DEI in job titles and communications and have started using the term “belonging.” In response to the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling, the company also initiated changes to its supplier program.
Some are calling for companies to stick to DEI policies. last month, The Democratic group in Congress called for this. Fortune 1000 leaders said DEI initiatives give everyone a fair chance to achieve the American Dream.
