McDonald’s is joining a growing list of companies scaling back or abandoning their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The fast-food giant cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in July 2023, which struck down affirmative action in college admissions, as a key reason for its change in direction and internal examination of its policies.
McDonald’s, which has its headquarters in Chicago, like many other corporations, rolled out a series of diversity initiatives in 2021 after a spate of sexual harassment lawsuits filed by employees and a lawsuit alleging discrimination brought by a group of Black former McDonald’s franchise owners.
In a LinkedIn post, McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski writes, “As a world-leading brand that considers inclusion one of our core values, we will accept nothing less than real, measurable progress in our efforts to lead with empathy, treat people with dignity and respect, and seek out diverse points of view to drive better decision-making,”
Diversity, equity and inclusion policies—which can include employer-mandated diversity trainings, resource groups for underrepresented minorities and commitments to equity in hiring—swept corporate America after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. These policies have often gone hand in hand with the rise of woke culture in the West. However, these programmes and policies have increasingly been challenged over the years.
In the US, in particular, conservative activists have increasingly targeted DEI programs in both the courts and on social media, seeking to eliminate workplace policies that prioritise historically marginalised groups. Critics of DEI initiatives and policies argue such policies and programmes are inherently unfair, as opportunities should be merit-based rather than based on a single category like gender, race, or sexual identity. Other companies retreating from DEI policies include Walmart, Ford, John Deere, Tractor Supply, Budlight, Toyota, and Harley-Davidson.
As big corporations like McDonalds pull the brakes on the DEI movement, it appears the tide is turning on woke culture. Let’s hope these waves quickly make their way to NZ shores.
Original article
