Facebook has halted its diversity initiatives, raising concerns about equality efforts in the UK as campaigners warn of a backlash.
London: So, Facebook has decided to ditch its diversity programs. This move has campaigners worried that equality efforts in the UK are also in jeopardy.
According to Axios, Meta, which is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, is cutting back on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They sent a memo to staff saying the legal and policy landscape is changing. They’re scrapping their goals for women and ethnic minorities, along with their training programs, claiming DEI has become “politically charged.”
It’s not just Facebook, either. Amazon and McDonald’s have also pulled the plug on their diversity initiatives. Many of these programs were set up in 2020 after George Floyd’s tragic death, which sparked massive protests.
Now, with Donald Trump back in the political scene, conservative groups are threatening legal action against companies that want to be more inclusive. But not every tech company is backing down. Apple’s board is standing firm, telling shareholders to vote against plans to end their diversity efforts.
Dr. Shabna Begum from the Runnymede Trust is sounding the alarm. She says there’s a troubling trend of regressive conversations about DEI happening in the UK. She believes this backlash against diversity initiatives is a serious issue that we should all be concerned about.
Dr. Begum argues that these initiatives are not just about ethics; they also make good business sense. She points out that attracting a diverse talent pool is crucial for any company. She also mentioned that the previous Conservative government had targeted civil service jobs they deemed “woke.”
In her view, dismissing these initiatives as unimportant is shortsighted. It’s a conversation we need to keep having, especially as these changes unfold.
