Apple board pushes back against diversity rollback call
Apple’s board has called on investors to vote against a proposal to eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), a conservative group, called on technology giants to eliminate their DEI policies, saying they expose the companies to “litigation, reputational, and financial risks.”
Apple directors say the NCPPR proposal was unnecessary because the company has appropriate checks and balances.
Other major US companies, including Meta and Amazon, have scaled back DEI programs ahead of the return to the White House this month of Donald Trump, who has been highly critical of DEI policies.
“The proposal is unnecessary because Apple already has a well-established compliance program,” The firm’s filing to investors said,
Apple’s board also said that the DEI rollback plan “seeks to micromanage the company’s programs and policies by inappropriately suggesting a specific means of legal compliance.”
The NCPPR proposal is set to be voted on by shareholders at Apple’s annual general meeting on February 25.
Conservative groups have threatened to take legal action against major companies over their DEI programs, saying such policies run contrary to a 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action at universities.
Last week, Facebook owner Meta became the latest US company to scale back its DEI initiative, joining a growing list of major companies including Amazon, Walmart and McDonald’s.
In a memo to employees about the decision — which impacts recruiting, supplier and training efforts — Meta cited “the changing legal and policy landscape.”
The Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision was also cited in this.
Meta’s boss, Mark Zuckerberg, has been trying to reconcile with Trump since his election in November.
The firm has donated $1 million (£820,000) President-elect’s Inaugural Fundappointed a Republican as its public affairs chief and announced it was getting rid of fact-checkers on Meta’s social media platforms.
Mr. Zuckerberg is not alone among top executives in taking such steps amid growing pressure from conservative groups.
