Meta announced on Friday that it has ended its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs effective immediately, including initiatives for hiring, training, and supplier diversity, citing changes in the ‘legal and policy landscape’ in the US.
This decision has sparked criticism from employees, who expressed disappointment and concern over the company’s apparent shift in values.
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Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, Janelle Gale, explained that recent Supreme Court decisions influenced the decision, signaling a change in how courts approach DEI efforts.
“The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” Gale said in a memo distributed within the company. “The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made decisions signaling a shift in how courts will approach DEI. The term ‘DEI’ has also become charged, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others.”
The rollback of these initiatives aligns with Meta’s broader policy changes, such as ending third-party fact-checking in favor of a community notes system, and has been perceived as aligning with the incoming Trump administration.
The move has led to significant internal backlash, with employees questioning the company’s commitment to its stated principles and the impact on Meta’s culture and public image.
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