Walmart Rolls Back Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has joined a growing list of major corporations rolling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. This decision comes amidst increasing pressure from conservative activists and a changing political landscape.

The changes at Walmart are significant and encompass various aspects of their DEI initiatives. The company will no longer renew its commitment to a racial equity center established in 2020, withdraw from a prominent gay rights index, and stop prioritizing historically marginalized groups when selecting suppliers.

This shift in policy follows the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June 2023, ending affirmative action in college admissions. This decision emboldened conservative groups to challenge corporate DEI programs, arguing that they discriminate against white and male employees.

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck has been particularly vocal in his criticism of corporate DEI policies, targeting companies on social media and prompting several to pull back their initiatives. Walmart, with its massive workforce of 1.6 million employees in the U.S., is the largest company to do so.

In addition to these changes, Walmart will also be monitoring its third-party marketplace to remove products deemed inappropriate for minors, including chest binders for transgender youth. The company will also review grants to Pride events to ensure they don't support "sexualized content."

Furthermore, Walmart will no longer consider race and gender as factors when awarding supplier contracts and will no longer gather demographic data for grant eligibility. The company will also discontinue its participation in the Human Rights Campaign's annual benchmark index for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

While Walmart claims these changes are part of an ongoing journey to foster a sense of belonging for all, they coincide with the election of former President Donald Trump, who has consistently criticized DEI initiatives. Trump's administration includes individuals like Stephen Miller, who leads a group challenging corporate DEI policies.

Despite these changes, some advocate for the continuation of DEI programs, arguing that they provide equal opportunities for all. A group of Democrats in Congress recently appealed to Fortune 1000 leaders, emphasizing the importance of DEI efforts in achieving the American dream.