EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
McDonald's is ending some of its diversity practices, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision outlawing affirmative action in college admissions. McDonald's is the latest company to shift its tactics in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling and the conservative backlash that followed. Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley-Davidson and others have also rolled back diversity programs.
McDonald's said Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels. It will also end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minorities in their own leadership ranks. But the Chicago burger giant said it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage.
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READ AP'S STORY
McDonald's is the latest company to roll back diversity goals
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FIND YOUR COMMUNITY: MCDONALD'S LOCATIONS
Search near your area for McDonald's locations here. The decision to roll back diversity initiatives is at the company's corporate level and it might be interesting to get responses from franchise owners and their viewpoints on diverse hiring. '
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ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
The announcement from McDonald's Monday arrives amid a wider backdrop of conservative backlash and litigation that has targeted companies across industries in recent years, as well as a wide array of diversity initiatives, including fellowships, hiring goals, anti-bias training and contract programs for minority or women-owned businesses.
Legal attacks against companies' diversity and inclusion efforts have particularly been on the rise since June of 2023, when the Supreme Court ruled to end affirmative action in college admissions. Many conservative and anti-DEI activists have been seeking to set a similar precedent in the working world.
Beyond the courtroom, some companies and brands -- from Bud Light to Target -- have been hit with online campaigns calling for boycotts.
Meanwhile, some other corporations and law firms have quietly altered their diversity programs, a stark contrast to the very public announcement by McDonald's and some other companies.
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CONSIDER THESE REPORTING THREADS
How many McDonald's locations are in your immediate area?
The decision to roll back diversity initiatives is at the company's corporate level and it might be interesting to get responses from franchise owners and their viewpoints on diverse hiring. What do they think of the announcement? Have franchisees made efforts to focus on diversity at their locations and will this move from McDonald's change their practices?
Talk to people in your community and get their thoughts on these changes. Make it clear these changes are at the corporate level, and won't necessarily impact how franchisees behave. Contact local diversity and racial justice groups -- the NAACP is just one, but there are many others -- to get more reactions.
If you live near a university, did they offer any career programing or training with McDonald's? If current or past students have had internships with the company, will this news change how the school interacts with McDonald's? How about students?
Have you noticed other shifts and pullbacks with DEI or environmental initiatives in your community or state? Some states have proposed or passed legislation prohibiting DEI positions or training, particularly at the university level.
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READ ADDITIONAL AP COVERAGE
Conservative quest to limit diversity programs gaining momentum in states
Tractor Supply is ending DEI and climate efforts after conservative backlash online
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq's diversity rules for company boards
Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory
Major companies abandon an LGBTQ+ rights report card after facing anti-diversity backlash
Members of Congress call on companies to retain DEI programs as court cases grind on
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Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers' use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.
