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Walmart’s recent decision to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is not quite the win those pushing the cutbacks were hoping for, prompting pushback from shareholders and Democratic state attorneys.
The retail giant’s move came alongside a slew of companies, including Harley-Davidson, John Deere, and McDonald’s, reassessing their commitments to DEI under mounting conservative pressure, while the incoming President Trump has already moved quickly to dismantle DEI programs in the federal government.
Shareholder concerns
A group of more than 30 Walmart shareholders, representing $266billion in combined assets, criticized the company’s reversal in a letter to CEO Doug McMillon. The investors described the policy shift as “disheartening” and questioned its business rationale.
“Seeing the company retreat from its stated values and the business opportunities associated with a diverse and inclusive workforce is very disheartening,” the letter stated, referencing Walmart’s previous identification of DEI as a priority within its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy.
The shareholders accused Walmart of succumbing to “bullying and pressure from anti-DEI groups” and noted the absence of a clear financial justification for the change. They urged Walmart to recommit to DEI strategies that foster inclusivity and reduce systemic barriers, requesting a meeting with senior leadership to discuss the matter.
Political pressure
The criticism was echoed in a separate letter from 13 Democratic state attorneys general, including representatives from California, New York, and Maryland. The group called on Walmart to clarify how it will uphold civil rights in the workplace and warned that alienating employees and customers could hurt the company’s reputation and bottom line.
“These changes are bad for business and for Walmart’s customer base, including those in our states,” they wrote. “We urge you to reconsider your announced changes.”
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Walmart defended its decision, emphasizing that its core values remain unchanged. In a statement, the company said it is committed to creating a sense of belonging for employees and customers, while US CEO John Furner framed the policy adjustments as part of an ongoing journey.
“We’re the same company with the same values,” a statement said. “We are focused on creating a Walmart for everyone and will continue to reinforce this commitment through our actions.”
In November, Furner told CBS that Walmart would no longer fund the Center for Racial Equity, a nonprofit initiative launched in 2020, and would drop the terms “LatinX” and “DEI” from its communications. The retailer also announced it would cease participating in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, which evaluates LGBTQ workplace policies
Broader implications
Walmart’s changes are part of a wider reassessment of DEI initiatives across corporate America. While some companies, like Amazon and Meta, have scaled back similar programs, others, including Apple and Microsoft, remain steadfast in their commitments.
There now exists a complex balancing act that companies face between political pressures, consumer expectations, and workforce requirements. As shareholders and political leaders continue to weigh in, Walmart’s reaction may be a significant moment in the continued struggle over DEI initiatives.
Jannie Rahman
I have always been proud to be an American, but there are some elements in this country that are working overtime trying to turn the USA into some of the worst of the worst of countries that my ancestors fought and died for to make America the greatest country of all time.
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Jerrell Gulley
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