Apple Urges Shareholders to Oppose Move to Scrap DEI Initiatives

January 13, 2025 – According to a report by Reuters, Apple Inc. has stated in a proxy filing that its board of directors is advising investors to vote against a shareholder proposal seeking to abolish the company’s diversity, equality, and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives.

The proposal, submitted by the conservative think tank National Center for Public Policy, urges Apple to consider dismantling its “inclusion and diversity programs, policies, departments, and goals.” Citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the proposal alleges that DEI programs expose companies to “litigation, reputational, and financial risks” and could make Apple more vulnerable to lawsuits.

In response, Apple maintains that it has implemented a robust compliance program, making the proposal unnecessary. The company further argues that this shareholder motion constitutes improper micromanagement of Apple’s business strategy.

“Apple is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any legally protected basis in recruitment, hiring, training, or promotion,” the company emphasized in the filing.

Interestingly, several large corporations, including Meta and Amazon, are currently scaling back their diversity programs.

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