Amazon is halting some of its diversity and inclusion programmes

Amazon.com Inc. is halting some of its diversity and inclusion programmes, a move that coincides with activist pressure on US companies to abandon efforts to build a more diverse workforce.

In a memo to employees, Candi Castleberry, a senior human resources executive, said last month that Amazon was “winding down outdated programmes and materials” as part of a review of hundreds of initiatives, including ones that had completed their work. The team expected to complete the consolidation by the end of 2024.

“Rather than have individual groups build programmes, we are focusing on programmes with proven outcomes — and we also aim to foster a more truly inclusive culture,” wrote Castleberry, Amazon’s vice president of Inclusive eXperiences and Technology. Her prior title, vice president of global diversity, equity and inclusion, changed with the name of the organization in 2023.

An Amazon spokesperson declined to detail the changes Castleberry’s organization has made. The company continues to operate affinity groups — employee-led organisations formed to hear worker concerns and advocate for women, Black workers and military veterans, among other groups. Amazon is the second largest private US employer, behind Walmart Inc.

The overhaul comes as anti-DEI crusader Robby Starbuck racks up victories in a push to get corporate America to end diversity, equity and inclusion programmes entirely. Companies including Walmart and Boeing Co. have announced that they’re scrapping or stepping back from their initiatives.

Meta Platforms Inc. confirmed on Friday that it was disbanding many of its diversity and inclusion efforts. Harley-Davidson Inc., Ford Motor Co. and Deere & Co., meanwhile, are among companies that have said they will more tightly focus their employee resource groups on business purposes and ensure they are open to all employees.

The incoming US presidential administration is expected to be hostile to such initiatives, with some allies of President-Elect Donald Trump charging that they amount to discrimination against White workers.

Amazon’s “Our Positions” web page – a clearinghouse of the company’s stances on social and political issues – recently eliminated specific sections titled Equity for Black people and LGBTQ+ rights. The Information reported those changes earlier Friday.

The updated page collapses these topics into a single paragraph on diversity, equity and inclusion, saying Amazon is committed “to creating a diverse and inclusive company that helps us build the best range of products and services for our broad customer base.” The statement says inequitable treatment of anyone is unacceptable.

Specific references to Amazon’s support for legislation to combat racial bias in policing, efforts to expand voting rights, and codify protections for transgender people were eliminated from the web page.

“We update this page from time to time to ensure that it reflects updates we’ve made to various programmes and positions,” spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in an emailed statement.