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United Kingdom
Paramount Global has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, citing compliance with federal mandates and recent executive orders under Donald Trump.
In a memo to staff, co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins outlined adjustments to the company’s approach to inclusion, marking a shift away from previous DEI-driven hiring and incentive practices.
The changes include removing DEI as a formal metric in the company’s short-term incentive plan, replacing it with a broader "Workforce Culture and Development" metric aimed at fostering leadership and workforce engagement.
Additionally, Paramount will no longer set numerical diversity goals or collect demographic data on job applicants in the US, except where legally required.
The move follows the trend among some major corporations, particularly in media and tech, to recalibrate policies in response to legal and political challenges to DEI efforts. The rollback comes as companies like Disney and Comcast face increasing scrutiny from federal agencies over their diversity initiatives.
Trump’s war on DEI sparks policy shifts
The changes at Paramount come as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to dismantle DEI programs across the public and private sectors. Earlier this month, Trump-appointed FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr launched an investigation into Comcast’s DEI initiatives, alleging potential violations of equal opportunity laws.
Meanwhile, a federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of two Trump executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI initiatives in government, education, and private business. The court ruled that the orders, titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing and Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, conflicted with constitutional protections and federal anti-discrimination laws.
Despite the legal challenges, Paramount’s decision is part of a shift in corporate America, which had previously expanded DEI programs in response to national discussions on racial equity following the 2020 killing of George Floyd.
The company emphasized in its memo that while specific DEI policies are changing, it remains committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace.
Future of corporate diversity efforts uncertain
Paramount’s policy adjustments reflect a broader reevaluation of corporate DEI strategies amid political and legal uncertainty. The company noted that while certain programs may be expanded, others will be discontinued to align with the fast-changing business and regulatory landscapes.
“Our business objectives remain a priority, and we will continue to refine our approach to ensure we attract talent from diverse geographies, backgrounds, and perspectives,” the memo stated.
As debates over DEI in the workplace continue, the long-term impact on corporate hiring practices, employee engagement, and brand reputation is still being played out. With major firms reassessing their diversity commitments, however, Paramount’s decision may serve as a bellwether for further changes in its sector.
