Big Companies Are Quietly Changing Their Stance on DEI

Corporate America is shifting gears. Not long ago, major companies were pushing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs as a top priority. Now, many are scaling back or even dropping these initiatives altogether.

From tech giants to Wall Street firms, businesses that once led the charge on inclusivity are quietly rethinking their strategies. Some are responding to political pressure, while others cite financial reasons. Either way, the DEI movement isn’t as strong in boardrooms as it was just a few years ago.

Why The Change?

Several factors are at play. Lawsuits challenging DEI policies, pushback from certain investors, and changing market conditions have all played a role. Some executives now argue that these programs weren’t delivering the expected results, while others worry about alienating customers or shareholders.

Who’s Scaling Back?

Here are 12 major companies that have made significant changes to their DEI commitments:

1. Facebook (Meta) – Cut back on DEI-focused hiring programs.
2. Tesla – Dissolved its DEI team as part of cost-cutting.
3. Disney – Reduced diversity-focused content spending.
4. Walmart – Scaled back internal diversity training.
5. Goldman Sachs – No longer requires a minimum number of diverse candidates in hiring pools.
6. Google – Quietly removed some DEI-related job positions.
7. Amazon – Downsized teams focused on workplace inclusivity.
8. Apple – Limited external DEI partnerships.
9. Microsoft – Cut funding to internal DEI initiatives.
10. Uber – Adjusted hiring policies to focus more on “merit-based” recruitment.
11. JP Morgan – Rolled back certain diversity hiring programs.
12. Nike – Shifted marketing focus away from social justice messaging.

What’s Next?

While DEI is far from disappearing, its presence in corporate strategies is evolving. Some companies are opting for a quieter, less public approach. Others are replacing broad initiatives with more targeted efforts. This shift raises big questions: Is this a temporary adjustment, or is corporate America moving in a new direction for good?

One thing is certain businesses are paying close attention to the changing landscape, and their decisions could shape the future of workplace diversity for years to come.