While JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Pepsi, GM, Google, GE, Intel, PayPal, Chipotle, Target and Comcast are among those companies rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs (DEI) – Costco, Delta, Cisco and others have refused to back down from its DEI policies. Here’s a report on those companies we should be supporting:
From Forbes: Costco has refused to back down from its DEI policies. The company’s shareholders overwhelmingly voted to reject a proposal that would have obligated the company to review the potential risks of maintaining its DEI initiatives, with more than 98% of shareholders voting against the proposal. The board said it “believes that our commitment to an enterprise rooted in respect and inclusion is appropriate and necessary.” Apple’s board similarly urged shareholders to reject a proposal raised by the same think tank, accusing the group of “inappropriately” attempting to “restrict Apple’s ability to manage its own ordinary business operations.” Delta Airlines also said it remains committed to DEI on a Jan. 10 earnings call. Peter Carter, the company’s executive vice president for external affairs, told a reporter the company is not reevaluating DEI or sustainability policies because “they are actually critical to our business,” stating DEI is “about talent and that’s been our focus.” Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins told Axios “a diverse workforce is better” because “there’s too much business value.” Robbins said the DEI backlash is being treated as a “single issue” when it is really “made up of 150 different things, and maybe seven of them got a little out of hand,” but those few things are “going to get solved and then you’re going to be left with common sense.” Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing said at a press conference the company stands “firmly behind” its “integral” DEI programs, stating the company can “see how Deutsche Bank has benefited from it,” making it the latest bank to defend DEI after conservative groups filed shareholder proposals at various banks urging them to review their diversity policies. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX the NFL—which requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for vacant head coach, general manager and coordinator positions as part of its broader commitment to diversity—will continue its diversity efforts “because we’ve not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven … that it does make the NFL better,” and he added: “We’re not in this because it’s a trend to get into it or a trend to get out of it.”
