Another major company in the U.S. has announced plans to walk back its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Ford is joining the likes of Lowes in the rollbacks just this week.
Ford CEO Jim Farley made the announcement in an internal memo, which was posted to X by Robby Starbuck. Starbuck has been outspoken about corporations and their DEI policies, exerting pressure for those companies to drop such policies.
In the memo, the company said in the last year it has taken a “fresh look” at its policies and practices related to social issues. Due to the “current landscape,” it said it still remains committed to “fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, and building a team that leverages diverse perspectives.” The company also said it will “not utilize hiring quotas or tie compensation to the achievement of specific diversity goals.”
Ford said it will also stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate equality index and various best places to work lists.
According to the memo, Ford will “continue to put our effort and resources into taking care of our customers, our team and our communities versus publicly commenting on the many polarizing issues of the day.”
Robby Starbuck is an anti-DEI activist who has called out corporations for hiring workers based on physical characteristics, including sex and race. Starbuck said companies are hiring on those qualities, rather than their merits.
Tractor Supply, Harley-Davidson and John Deere have also ended their DEI initiatives in recent weeks.
