Apple's board of directors has come out in opposition to a proposal aimed at ending the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
In a proxy filingthe company said the National Center for Public Policy Research (a conservative think tank) is submitting a proposal for Apple to “consider eliminating its Inclusion & Diversity program, policies, departments and goals. “
The think tank's proposal claims that DEI programs could make companies vulnerable to lawsuits, citing the recent decision of the Supreme Court against race-based affirmative action in colleges and notes that other companies have eliminated or scaled back similar programs. (Recently, Meta has removed its DEI programsand Amazon is also retreating.)
Apple, however, said the proposal was “unnecessary” because the company “has a well-established compliance program” that could have kept it out of legal trouble. The filing also criticized the proposal because it was “inappropriately intended to govern the Company's programs and policies.”
The company also said it strives to “create an ownership culture where everyone can do their best work.”
