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Car giant Ford has become the latest major corporation to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, caving in to mounting pressure from conservative activists.
Following similar moves from Harley-Davidson and Jack Daniels owner Brown-Forman, the automaker has announced significant changes to its DEI policies in an internal communication to employees, marking a shift in its approach to workplace diversity and social issues.
In an email to staff, Ford CEO Jim Farley (also a board member at Harley-Davidson) cited the evolving "external and legal environment related to political and social issues" as a key factor in the company's decision.
The move includes several notable changes:
Ford will no longer participate in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index and "best places to work" surveys.
The company has opened its employee resource groups to all workers, removing previous restrictions.
It has decided to discontinue the use of quotas for minority dealerships and suppliers.
This shift comes as part of a broader trend of corporations reevaluating their DEI programs in response to a growing conservative backlash led by one person in particular - Robby Starbuck.
The changes at Ford appear to be preemptive, coming before any specific campaign targeting the company. However, conservative activist Starbuck, who has been investigating Ford's DEI policies, claimed partial credit for the decision. He has been at the forefront of a movement pressuring companies to alter their DEI approaches, having previously targeted other major brands such as John Deere, and the aforementioned Harley-Davidson.
The Human Rights Campaign expressed disappointment with Ford's decision, arguing that it could harm the company's ability to recruit and retain top talent. However, Ford maintains that its changes are a response to the diverse beliefs of its employees and customers.
"We will continue to put our effort and resources into taking care of our customers, our team, and our communities versus publicly commenting on the many polarizing issues of the day,” the memo said. “There will of course be times when we will speak out on core issues if we believe our voice can make a positive difference.”
The move highlights the increasing challenges companies face in navigating social and political issues in a polarized environment. As the 2024 election approaches, businesses are finding themselves caught between pressure from conservative activists and the expectations of employees and consumers who support DEI initiatives.
