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McDonald’s announced significant changes to its diversity initiatives on Monday, marking a shift in corporate policy following the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions.

The company is implementing several major changes to its diversity practices, including eliminating supplier requirements for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) targets and discontinuing participation in corporate diversity surveys. The restaurant chain is also modifying the name of its diversity committee.

 

“We are retiring Supply Chain’s Mutual Commitment to DEI pledge in favor of a more integrated discussion with suppliers about inclusion as it relates to business performance,” the fast-food giant said in a statement.

The company also declared it would be “setting aspirational representation goals and instead keeping our focus on continuing to embed inclusion practices that grow our business into our everyday process and operations.”

In addition to these changes, McDonald’s will temporarily suspend its involvement in external surveys to concentrate on internal business development. The organization’s diversity team will undergo a rebranding to become the Global Inclusion Team, which they believe better represents their values and mission.

Despite these adjustments, the company emphasized that “McDonald’s position and our commitment to inclusion is steadfast.”

“Since our founding, we’ve prided ourselves on understanding that the foundation of our business is people. As (former CEO) Fred Turner said, ‘We’re a people business, and never forget it,'” the statement continued.

These modifications come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling that eliminated affirmative action in university admissions, effectively reversing a significant achievement of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.

The decision has prompted numerous organizations to reassess their minority support programs, particularly as backing for progressive initiatives has diminished. DEI policies are facing increased scrutiny in both corporate America and government sectors, with advocates of these programs experiencing heightened pressure following Donald Trump’s electoral success.

McDonald’s joins a growing list of prominent companies, including Ford, John Deere, Lowe’s, Harley-Davidson, and Jack Daniel’s, that have modified their diversity practices. This trend reflects a broader pushback against what some view as excessive political correctness in American society.