'Culture of belonging' | Apple and Microsoft double down on DEI as Trump begins diversity dismantling

Apple and Microsoft double down on DEI as Trump begins diversity dismantling

Apple and Microsoft have reaffirmed their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) despite growing pressure on corporations and the federal government’s sharp turn away from such programs under President Donald Trump.

The tech giants’ positions reveal a widening divide between the private sector and federal policies on workplace diversity.

In a proxy filing, Apple defended its DEI initiatives against a shareholder proposal from the conservative pressure group, National Center for Public Policy Research. The group argued that DEI poses “litigation, reputation, and financial risks” in light of a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that curbed affirmative action in college admissions.

Apple rejected the claim, stating that its DEI efforts are vital to fostering a “culture of belonging” and recommended shareholders vote against the proposal.

Microsoft echoed Apple’s stance, with Chief Diversity Officer Lindsay-Rae McIntyre reaffirming the company’s DEI commitment. She highlighted the business case for diversity, stating that inclusivity helps Microsoft build better products and services for a global audience. The company’s latest diversity report, released in October, further underscores these efforts.

Silicon Valley divide

The declarations come as other tech companies, including Meta and Amazon scale back their DEI programs. Meta recently disbanded its DEI team and abandoned hiring policies aimed at increasing diversity, following CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s meetings with members of Trump’s administration. Similarly, Amazon retired several diversity programs as part of a broader review of initiatives.

While companies like Alphabet (Google’s parent), have not indicated changes to their DEI strategies, experts warn that retreating from diversity efforts could harm companies’ ability to attract and retain talent, cautioning that scaling back on inclusivity programs could alienate consumers and employees, in a diverse and competitive tech sector.

In contrast, the Trump administration has moved quickly to eliminate DEI programs within the federal government, mandating the termination of diversity-focused positions, offices, and policies across federal agencies.

High stakes

Tech companies’ responses to DEI pressures could have long-term implications for their workforce and reputation. Research shows the tech industry remains less diverse than the broader US workforce, with Black employees making up only 7.4% of tech workers, compared to 11.6% across all industries.

“Tech companies must prioritize diversity to attract younger, more diverse talent and build products that serve global audiences,” said Michelle Hebl, a diversity scholar at Rice University. “Failing to do so could prove a costly mistake.”

As the federal government retreats from DEI, Apple and Microsoft’s continued focus on inclusion highlights their recognition of the strategical imperatives of fostering diverse workplaces and signals that the private sector will chart its own course on the issue.

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