California: Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced on Friday significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The tech giant is ending several internal programs to foster diversity in hiring and procurement practices, sparking criticism from employees and stakeholders. The move comes amidst shifting legal and political landscapes in the United States, with the Supreme Court and policymakers reshaping how diversity efforts are perceived and implemented.
In an internal memo shared via the company’s Workplace communication platform, Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of People, outlined the termination of several programs, including the “Diverse Slate Approach,” which prioritized hiring candidates from underrepresented groups. Gale also announced the closure of the company’s diversity supplier program, which focused on sourcing from diverse-owned businesses, and the end of equity and inclusion training programs.
Meta’s Chief Diversity Officer, Maxine Williams, will transition into a new role concentrating on accessibility and engagement, while the dedicated DEI team will be disbanded entirely.
Gale emphasized that the company remains committed to building diverse, high-performing teams but will adopt a different strategy moving forward. “We believe there are other ways to build an industry-leading workforce and leverage teams made up of world-class people from all types of backgrounds to build products that work for everyone,” Gale stated in the memo.
Meta’s decision aligns with recent shifts in the legal and policy environment surrounding DEI efforts in the U.S. The Supreme Court’s rulings have introduced stricter interpretations of non-discrimination principles, challenging initiatives perceived as giving preferential treatment based on inherent characteristics such as race or gender.
Gale’s memo acknowledged the term “DEI” has become polarizing, with some interpreting it as suggesting preferential treatment. “The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” Gale wrote. “It reaffirms long-standing principles that discrimination should not be tolerated or promoted on the basis of inherent characteristics.”
The announcement was met with disapproval from many Meta employees. One staff member’s comment on the internal post gained over 600 reactions: “If you don’t stand by your principles when things get difficult, they aren’t values. They’re hobbies.”
Several employees criticized the policy reversal, suggesting it undermines the company’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable representation. Others expressed concerns about the potential impact on Meta’s workplace culture and its ability to attract talent from diverse backgrounds.
While Meta is sunsetting specific DEI initiatives, the company insists it remains dedicated to creating an inclusive environment. The memo highlighted four guiding principles for Meta’s People Practices:
- Serving everyone by building products that are accessible to all.
- Sourcing talent from a broad pool but evaluating candidates based on individual merits.
- Ensuring fairness and objectivity in employment practices, without providing preferential treatment based on protected characteristics.
- Supporting employee community groups (Meta Resource Groups), which will remain open to all employees.
The DEI changes at Meta are part of a broader shift in the company’s policies. Recently, Meta replaced its global affairs head, Nick Clegg, with Joel Kaplan, a Republican-affiliated executive. Additionally, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the end of Meta’s third-party fact-checking program earlier this week, raising concerns about the platform’s approach to managing misinformation.
These moves coincide with preparations for the second presidential term of Donald Trump, signaling a possible recalibration of corporate policies to align with the administration’s stance on issues like free speech and diversity initiatives.
Meta’s decision to dismantle its DEI programs marks a significant pivot for a company that has long positioned itself as a champion of inclusivity in the tech industry. The changes have sparked debate over the role of corporations in addressing systemic inequities and the legal limits of such efforts.
