Major automaker Ford has backtracked on some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities, adding to the trend of corporations distancing themselves from such goals in response to outside criticism.
In a memo to employees, Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company would be joining other companies in no longer participating in corporate surveys from the LGBT rights group Human Rights Campaign. Ford has also changed how its employee resource groups work, according to Farley.
The undated memo was first made public by conservative activist and podcast host Robby Starbuck, who detailed the letter in a Wednesday video on social media. A Ford spokeswoman confirmed the veracity of the memo to the Washington Examiner but would provide no further comment or context of when it was sent.
“As we work together to build an even brighter future, we are mindful that our employees and customers hold a wide range of beliefs, and the external and legal environment related to political and social issues continues to evolve,” Farley said.
Farley clarified that the employee resource groups have evolved to focus only on networking, mentorship, personal and professional development, and community service. Furthermore, those groups are open to all employees.
Some companies have faced scrutiny for forming affinity groups tailored to people of a certain racial or ethnic group. For instance, Amazon has 13 different affinity groups listed on its website with names like “Asians at Amazon,” “Black Employee Network,” and “Glamazon,” which is tailored to gay and transgender employees.
In the letter about the changing DEI policies, Farley said Ford would continue “to support causes that help move people forward and upward.” He said the company’s philanthropic efforts would focus on broad areas that will make a positive difference for the most people, for instance, entrepreneurship, education for the future of work, and essential services.
The decision to stop participating in external culture surveys like those organized by the HRC came earlier this year, according to the CEO.
“Issues and events around the world evoke strong emotions and affect us as individuals in different ways,” Farley said. “And while we may have differences of opinion, we can treat each other with respect and civility, recognizing how much we have in common as colleagues and friends.”
Ford is but the latest company to dial back its DEI practices. Also this week, a spokesman for home improvement giant Lowe’s confirmed to the Washington Examiner recent changes to its DEI policies, including removing itself from HRC’s survey.
The leadership team said the changes were made to ensure the company’s diversity and inclusion programs are lawful and aligned with its commitment to ensure no one is excluded from opportunities at the company.
“We made some changes to our programs so they can more effectively further this commitment,” the Lowe’s letter said. “For example, we recently decided to combine our business resource groups, from individual groups representing diverse sections of our associate population, into one umbrella organization.”
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The news about Lowe’s also came amid pressure from Starbuck, who has used his X account to highlight the issue. Starbuck said in a video posted to social media that he had contacted Lowe’s executives about the company’s DEI policies and received an email in which they announced the policy changes.
Deere and Company, the maker of John Deere tractors and other farm machinery, also recently scaled back its DEI initiatives. The company said it would no longer sponsor “social or cultural awareness” events. Harley-Davidson also removed itself from the HRC’s survey, and Tractor Supply announced in June it was changing its DEI positioning.