The Biggest Headlines in DEI This Week
February 10, 2025
US retail giant Target has been sued for allegedly concealing the risks of its social and diversity initiatives.
The lawsuit, filed on 31 January 2025, alleges the company defrauded shareholders into paying inflated prices for its stock and unknowingly supporting management's "misuse of investor funds to serve political and social goals”.
This year, Target has also said it would end DEI initiatives in 2025, joining the likes of Google, Amazon, Walmart and more after an executive order from President Donald Trump to halt programmes in federal agencies and government contractors.
Target has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit, but said in a memo on its DEI initiatives: “We remain focused on driving our business by creating a sense of belonging for our team, guests and communities through a commitment to inclusion.
“Belonging for all is an essential part of our team and culture, helping fuel consumer relevance and business results.”
Apple, IBM & GM Amongst Those Set For DEI Showdowns in 2025
February 11, 2025
Google, Apple, Costco and Target are just some of the companies to have been at the centre of the furore, much of which stems from recently inaugurated US President Donald Trump’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
DEI policies were a frequent point of discussion for Trump during his election campaign and his focus on them has not slipped since he took office in January 2025.
In the United States, diversity, equity and inclusion are organisational frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on identity or disability.
Trump has described this approach as “dangerous, demeaning and immoral” and has often called the policies “nonsense”.
Many companies have followed Trump’s lead since his election, though many remain committed to DEI.
Is Disney the Latest to Pull Back on DEI Commitments?
February 12, 2025
The latest company to scale back its DEI policies is The Walt Disney Company, the global entertainment powerhouse known for its theme parks, movies and television networks.
This move comes as part of a broader trend among major corporations – including Apple, IBM & GM – reassessing their DEI commitments in response to changing political and social dynamics.
Disney has long been at the forefront of promoting diversity and inclusion in its content and corporate culture. The company's "Reimagine Tomorrow" initiative, launched in 2021, aimed to amplify underrepresented voices and showcase Disney's commitments to diversity.
This programme included ambitious goals, such as ensuring that 50% of characters in scripted offerings across Disney General Entertainment came from underrepresented groups.
However, in its most recent 10-K filing for the fiscal year ending 30 September 2024, Disney has removed mentions of two key DEI programmes: "Reimagine Tomorrow" and the "Disney Look" appearance guidelines.
McKinsey Will ‘Boldy Pursue’ DEI in Face of Storm
February 13, 2025
Giant companies across the United States and around the world are scaling down DEI initiatives after US President Donald Trump’s executive orders – Costco, Target, Google and Disney, to name just a few.
Consulting giants Deloitte and Accenture have joined this list, but McKinsey looks to be resisting.
“Some have asked whether we will continue to prioritise diversity in our meritocracy,” Global Managing Partner Bob Sternfels told staff in a memo dated Feb. 3 according to Bloomberg News.
“The answer is yes. We will continue to boldly pursue both, because these two things together — our diverse meritocracy — is what makes us distinctive and has defined who we are over our nearly 100 years,” he wrote.
Are Deloitte UK & Deloitte US Doing DEI Differently?
February 14, 2025
Deloitte’s UK office has split with its US business on the topic of DEI.
In the US, the consulting giant has announced an end to its DEI programmes and annual report alongside instructing staff working on contracts for the government to remove pronouns from their emails.
These instructions were sent in emails to staff and reported by the Financial Times.
Richard Houston, Senior Partner and CEO of Deloitte UK and NSE, said in a memo to staff that the UK office will remain “committed to our diversity goals” and “will continue to report annually on our progress on inclusion”, according to The Telegraph.
It’s not just Deloitte reconsidering DEI – major companies including Google, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Accenture and McDonald's have rolled back goals.
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