Apple is recommending its investors reject a proposal to eliminate its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
Internal documents reveal Apple’s opposition to a shareholder proposal aiming to dismantle its DEI initiatives. This comes as several large corporations, including Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, Ford, and Walmart, have recently scaled back or abandoned their own DEI programs.
The proposal, submitted by the conservative National Center for Public Policy Research, argues that these programs present legal, reputational, and financial risks. The shareholder vote is scheduled for Apple’s annual meeting on February 25th.
Apple views the proposal as an attempt to excessively control its operations, asserting that existing internal safeguards are sufficient.
The proposal cites the 2023 Supreme Court decision in *Students for Fair Admissions vs Harvard*, which deemed race-conscious college admissions unconstitutional.
Following this ruling, conservative groups have challenged corporate DEI programs, labeling “diversity hires” as discriminatory and detrimental to company performance. The ruling has reportedly spurred over 60 lawsuits against DEI policies, according to the Guardian.
Reports in The Wall Street Journal indicate President-elect Donald Trump intends to ban DEI initiatives in workplaces and educational institutions upon assuming office in January.
Meta and Amazon have already discontinued their DEI programs, citing political considerations and concerns about perceived preferential treatment, as reported by various news outlets. Meta specifically referenced the evolving legal and political climate and the Supreme Court’s ruling.