11 Corporations That Are Scaling Back DEI Initiatives (2 of 6)

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is eliminating some of its diversity-focused policies, including targets for increasing representation within senior leadership and supplier diversity training programs. The company also announced it would stop participating in external DEI surveys, such as those conducted by the HRC.

Despite these changes, McDonald’s leadership stressed that diversity remains important to the company, describing it as a strategic advantage in business operations.

Walmart

Walmart confirmed that it will not renew a five-year commitment to a racial equity initiative established in 2020. The company also announced it would withdraw from the HRC Corporate Equality Index and reassess its third-party marketplace to ensure certain LGBTQ+ products, such as chest binders for transgender youth, are no longer sold.

Additionally, Walmart stated that race and gender would no longer be considered when awarding supplier contracts and that it would stop collecting demographic data when determining eligibility for grants.