End of DEI for the Big Tech?

Several major tech companies have implemented anti-DEI measures or scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Here’s a list of the notable cases:

Meta (Facebook)

• Terminated major DEI programs, including those for hiring, training, and supplier selection[1][4]
• Ended its “Diverse Slate Approach” to hiring[1]
• Discontinued representation goals[1]
• Cut its DEI team[1]

Google

• Started defunding DEI programs[5][7]
• Made cuts to employees in charge of recruiting workers from underrepresented backgrounds[5]

Amazon

• Axed DEI programs[8]

Apple

• Faced anti-DEI shareholder proposals[12]

Zoom

• Laid off its DEI team[7]

Other Tech Companies

• 20% of tech companies surveyed reduced their DEI teams within the last year[16]
• DEI-related job postings in the tech industry declined by 44% in 2023[2]
• Some companies have rebranded DEI efforts as “belonging” or “inclusion” to reduce visibility[6]

It’s worth noting that while these companies have taken steps to reduce or modify their DEI initiatives, the extent and specific details of these changes may vary. Additionally, some companies may have made these decisions due to various factors, including legal concerns, economic pressures, and shifting political landscapes[1][2][5].

Citations:

1. Meta DEI Programs Face Cuts Amid Trump-Era Policies – Axios
2. Big Tech Companies Made Cuts to DEI-Related Jobs in 2023 Despite Prior Commitments – Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
3. Anti-DEI Program Effort in 2025: States, Companies, and Universities – NBC News
4. Meta, McDonald’s, Walmart, and Ford Cut Back DEI Programs – CBS News
5. Tech’s DEI Backlash Is Here – TechCrunch
6. Costco Stands Resolute Against the Anti-DEI Movement – Sustainability Magazine
7. DEI Backlash: Stay Up-to-Date on the Latest Legal and Corporate Challenges – TechCrunch
8. The Corporate World Grapples with DEI Policies – BBC News
9. Retail DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Changes – Retail Dive
10. Major Companies Rolling Back DEI Policies: Walmart and Toyota – Newsweek
11. The DEI Backlash and Its Critics: Robby Starbuck’s Perspective – The New York Times
12. DEI Diversity Backlash: Starbucks, Apple, and Trump Policies – Axios
13. Corporate America’s DEI Challenges – CNN Business
14. Companies Abandoning DEI Initiatives – Advocate
15. These Companies Have Rolled Back DEI Policies: McDonald’s Latest to Abandon Diversity Standards – Forbes
16. Tech Scaling Back DEI Initiatives: A Report – Tech.co
17. Silicon Valley’s DEI Backlash – The Washington Post

What are the main reasons tech companies are cutting their DEI programs?

Tech companies are cutting their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs for several key reasons:

Legal and Policy Landscape Changes

1. Shifting legal environment: Recent Supreme Court decisions have signaled a change in how courts approach DEI initiatives[7].

2. Compliance concerns: Companies are wary of potential regulatory risks and legal challenges related to their DEI practices[5].

Economic Factors

1. Budget cuts: Some organizations have reduced DEI budgets by up to 90% by mid-2023 as part of broader cost-cutting measures[4].

2. Economic pressures: Companies may be prioritizing other areas during times of financial constraint[2].

Political and Social Pressures

1. “Woke” backlash: Some companies are responding to criticism of DEI initiatives as being overly “woke” or politically charged[7][3].

2. Changing public sentiment: There’s a shift in public opinion about corporations taking stands on social issues[7].

Internal Challenges

1. Difficulty measuring impact: Companies struggle to quantify the effectiveness of DEI programs[2].

2. Misalignment with hiring practices: DEI goals can conflict with other hiring metrics like time-to-hire[2].

3. AI bias concerns: The rise of AI in recruitment has sometimes undermined DEI efforts by amplifying existing biases[2].

Strategic Shifts

1. Rebranding efforts: Some companies are reframing DEI initiatives under different labels like “belonging” or “inclusion”[1].

2. Integration into broader strategies: Organizations may be embedding DEI principles into overall company culture rather than maintaining separate programs[8].

While these factors contribute to the trend of cutting DEI programs, it’s important to note that many companies still affirm their commitment to diversity and inclusion, even as they adjust their approaches[3][7].

Citations:

1. Silicon Valley Tech Companies Cut DEI Positions and Policies – KALW
2. Why Tech DEI Fails – BuiltIn
3. DEI Cuts at Microsoft Amid ‘Woke Backlash’ – ESG Dive
4. Big Tech Companies Made Cuts to DEI-Related Jobs in 2023 Despite Prior Commitments – Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
5. Lack of Diversity in Tech: Challenges and Solutions – Revelo
6. The Companies That Have Dropped DEI Programming Recently – HR Dive
7. Meta DEI Programs Face Cuts Amid Trump-Era Policies – Axios
8. Are Companies Quiet Quitting DEI? – Forbes
9. Why Is Big Tech Still Failing to Make Significant Progress on DEI? – Fast Company
10. Google, Meta, and Other Tech Giants Cut DEI Programs in 2023 – CNBC
11. Why Companies Are Backing Away from DEI Programs – BNN Bloomberg
12. These Companies Have Rolled Back DEI Policies: McDonald’s Latest to Abandon Diversity Standards – Forbes