Apple has requested its shareholders to vote against a proposal aimed at eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, highlighting the company’s stance on maintaining its existing programs.
The proposal, put forward by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), a conservative think tank, argues that DEI efforts expose companies to potential legal, reputational, and financial risks.
Scheduled to be voted on at Apple’s upcoming annual general meeting on February 25, the NCPPR proposal seeks to halt the company’s DEI programs, claiming that such efforts could lead to complications in the face of evolving legal frameworks. However, Apple’s board has firmly opposed the proposal, asserting that the company already has comprehensive compliance procedures in place to address any related risks. The board also argued that the proposal “inappropriately attempts to restrict Apple’s ability to manage its own ordinary business operations, people and teams, and business strategies.”
DEI programs are designed to create an inclusive work environment, supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including differences in ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality. While Apple continues to champion its DEI initiatives, some of its major tech rivals have recently rolled back similar programs.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced the immediate termination of its DEI efforts last week, citing a changing legal and policy landscape regarding diversity practices. Meta referred to recent Supreme Court decisions and the polarized views surrounding DEI as contributing factors to this decision. Similarly, Amazon has also started winding down its diversity programs, reflecting broader industry trends.
The shift in policies at companies like Meta and Amazon is seen by some as a response to the political landscape, particularly with the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House. Trump has been a vocal critic of DEI policies, and conservative groups have increasingly pushed for companies to reconsider their diversity efforts, arguing that they are inconsistent with the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling on affirmative action in universities.
Apple, on the other hand, maintains that its DEI initiatives are integral to the company’s values and operations. In its filing to investors, Apple emphasized that its established compliance framework sufficiently addresses the concerns raised by the proposal and that the suggested changes would unnecessarily limit the company’s ability to manage its workforce and policies.
The Gurardian and BBC contributed to this report.
