While Meta announced at the beginning of the week that it was putting an end to its hate speech moderation and “fact-checking” program, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram announced this Friday the immediate deletion of its main programs linked to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). After Walmart last November, and McDonalds earlier this week, it is the turn of another tech giant.
A decision revealed by an internal memo sent to employees and published by Axioswhich affects essential sectors such as recruitment, training and supplier relations.
“The term ‘DEI’ is seen as polarizing”
For Janelle Gale, vice president of human resources at Meta cited by Axios, this measure reflects changes in “the legal and political landscape” of the United States. She points out that the term “DEI” is now seen as polarizing, and that some see it as a form of favoritism towards specific groups.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering cases that risk influencing even more companies previously engaged in diversity and inclusion programs. At the top, we find the case Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Serviceswhich many refer to as “reverse discrimination”. At the heart of it is Marlean Ames, a heterosexual woman, recently replaced by a homosexual man who is suing his employer for discrimination.
One step (more) towards the future Trump administration?
This repositioning also seems to be part of a political strategy. The appointment of Joel Kaplan, an influential Republican, as head of global affairs illustrates an apparent rapprochement with the Trump administration and the MAGA movement.
Despite everything, the Meta group says it believes in the principle of diversity. Janelle Gale’s internal memo states: “We believe in cognitively diverse teams that can innovate and solve complex problems. »
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Concretely, what does that change?
In her memo, Janelle Gale detailed the five main decisions that mark this strategic turning point:
- Removal of the DEI team
The diversity team is disbanded. Chief Diversity Officer Maxine Williams will now focus on accessibility and engagement initiatives.
- Abandonment of representation objectives
Target quotas for women and ethnic minorities are removed. The stated objective is to avoid any perception of decision-making based on race or gender.
- Change in recruitment
The “Diverse Slate” approach, which guaranteed diversity in candidates for each position, is abandoned. Meta will favor other means to attract varied talents but does not explain which ones.
- End of supplier diversity
Meta is ending its efforts to collaborate with minority-owned businesses and will now focus on small and medium-sized businesses.
- Review of training programs
Current training focused on equity and inclusion will be replaced by modules promoting equitable practices for all employees, regardless of their origin.
Towards a new vision of equity at Meta
Meta emphasizes its commitment to fairness without discrimination. “We will always evaluate individuals on their skills and impact,” says Gale. However, this repositioning raises questions.
Is this a pragmatic response to legal developments or a step back on social issues? One thing is certain: this decision, far from going unnoticed, redefines expectations towards tech giants in terms of social responsibility.
Source: www.20minutes.fr
