Summary
Walmart has rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, ending DEI training, racial equity programs, and diversity metrics in hiring and supplier decisions.
Employees call the move a betrayal, citing the lack of communication and its impact on marginalized groups.
The rollback has drawn praise from conservatives but criticism from racial equity advocates, including Walmart’s largest workers’ group, United for Respect, which plans to reintroduce a racial equity audit proposal in 2025.
Critics argue the changes mark a major regression for racial and workplace equity at the nation’s largest private employer.
I always felt like companies publicizing dei stuff just gave ammo to the critics and opponents of the movements.
On the flip-side, it sounds like “The only reason we hire certain people is to check a box on some report. Otherwise, we’re entirely part of the problem.”
“DEI hires” shouldn’t be identified or identifiable in company culture or payroll. The existence of the label itself is discrimination.