Meta Ends Diversity Programs Amid Controversy
Menlo Park, Saturday, 11 January 2025.
Meta has terminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, sparking debate over aligning with conservative policies and reshaping its internal and external culture.
Major Policy Shift
Meta (META) announced the immediate termination of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on January 9, 2025 [1][3]. The company’s Vice President of Human Resources, Janelle Gale, cited the changing legal and policy landscape in the United States as the primary reason for this decision [1][2]. This dramatic shift includes the elimination of Meta’s DEI team and the discontinuation of its diverse slate approach to hiring, which previously required sourcing candidates from underrepresented backgrounds [1].
Impact on Leadership and Programs
As part of these changes, Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will transition to a new role focused on accessibility and engagement [1][4]. The company’s previous DEI initiatives, which began in the 2010s, had shown measurable progress, with Meta’s 2022 workforce composition reaching 37.1% women, 4.9% Black, and 6.7% Hispanic employees [1]. The company will also end its supplier diversity efforts, shifting focus instead to supporting small and medium-sized businesses [2][3].
Political Context and Corporate Alignment
The timing of Meta’s decision appears to coincide with broader political shifts, as the company has made several moves appearing to align with the incoming Trump administration [2][3]. This includes Meta’s recent $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund in December 2024 and the appointment of Republican Joel Kaplan as the new president of global affairs on January 2, 2025 [3]. The decision follows similar DEI rollbacks at other major corporations like Walmart and McDonald’s, occurring in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action [2].
Employee Response and Future Direction
In response to employee concerns, Meta has emphasized that while formal DEI programs are ending, employee resource groups (ERGs) will continue to operate [4]. The company states it will focus on developing programs that emphasize fair and consistent practices to mitigate bias for all employees [2]. However, this shift has sparked significant debate within the organization, with some staff members criticizing the move while others have described it as ‘pretty reasonable’ [4].